ASTANA: The UAE’s national jiu-jitsu team continued to shine on Wednesday at the JJIF World Championship YOUTH 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan, clinching 15 more medals in the girls’ under-16 and under-18 divisions, taking the overall medal tally to an impressive 23. Zamzam Alhammadi, Rauda Alshamsi and Alanood Alharbi grabbed gold in the under-18 division for the defending champions.

The under-16 team had a remarkable debut in the championship, securing six medals, including one silver and five bronze. Haira Aldaheri (36 kg) won silver in her category, while the bronze medalists were Fatema Alkatheeri (44 kg), Ghala Alhammadi (44 kg), Najla Hashem (48 kg), Hneen Alkhoori (57 kg) and Aysha Aljneibi (63 kg).

The under-18 girls were equally impressive, making history with nine medals, consisting of three gold, two silver and four bronze. The gold medals were won by Rauda Alshamsi (40 kg) — who finished her fight with a submission — Alanood Alharbi (44 kg) and Zamzam Al-Hammadi (52 kg). Al-Hammadi had earlier this month captured gold at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Elsewhere, Mariam Alali (48 kg) and Hissa Alyasi (44 kg) captured silver, while bronze medals were won by Dana Albraiki (40 kg), Shamsa Ibrahim Alameri (48 kg), Maitha Almezaini (52 kg) and Meera Aljarjawi (+70kg).

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, deputy chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and head of the national team’s delegation to Kazakhstan, said: “The performance of the girls under-18 and under-16 today was amazing. They won an impressive 15 medals. This shows how much our athletes have improved and it’s something the whole world can see. The UAE has come a long way in the sport of jiu-jitsu.

“The reason our UAE girls rocked the JJIF World Championship YOUTH is because of the well-thought-out strategy and plan by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Our visionary leaders as well as the federation officials spare no chance in supporting our athletes, especially the girls, so they can showcase their skills globally, just like they did today.”

“The girls who received medals also prove that the federation’s plan to find young talent and help them grow is working great. They start learning early, which helps them become jiu-jitsu professionals. This makes me sure that jiu-jitsu’s future in the UAE is in safe hands. I can’t wait to see them perform even better on bigger stages around the world,” he added.