The UAE national jiu-jitsu team claimed three medals on the second day of competition at the World Games Chengdu 2025, showcasing their strength on the global stage.
Saeed Al Kubaisi won gold in the under-85kg division after strong bouts against opponents from Portugal, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Mehdi Al Awlaki earned silver in the under-77kg division, while Mohammed Al Suwaidi also secured silver in the under-69kg category.
The World Games, held in Chengdu from August 7 to 17, is a prestigious event featuring nearly 5,000 athletes from 118 countries competing across 34 sports. It is considered a global platform for sports, yet to be included in the Olympic Games.
Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, “Jiu-jitsu in the UAE has proven its excellence and its ability to succeed at every opportunity, supported by the sport’s continued growth and the achievements of our national team on both continental and global stages.
Our athletes have consistently made the nation proud in regional and international arenas, and today’s result is even more significant given the presence of top-ranked competitors from around the world. This success is the result of the Federation’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to prepare our athletes to perform at the highest level.”
Gold medallist Saeed Al Kubaisi commented, “I entered the championship confident in my ability to win gold, as it’s the natural result of the hard work and intensive training we’ve put in over recent months. I want to thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the support they have given us, helping us reach this stage and make our mark at a global event of this scale.”
Mehdi Al Awlaki said, “The final was tough, but I never gave up and kept pushing until the last second because my goal was gold. I’m happy to take silver in such an important championship, and I’m confident there is more to come.”
Tomorrow, Emirati athletes will compete in the open weight division, with Mehdi Al Awlaki, Saeed Al Kubaisi, and Mohammed Al Suwaidi in the men’s category, and Asma Alhosani, Shamsa Al Amri, and Shamma Al Kalbani in the women’s category.
–Input WAM
