ABU DHABI: Several of the sport’s top athletes will compete at the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup on March 15 and 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has confirmed.

The annual event, held during the holy month of Ramadan, will have grapplers from the UAE’s leading clubs and academies compete in various weight categories.

At the previous edition of the tournament, Baniyas Club secured the top spot in the men’s division, followed by Al-Ain in second and Al-Jazira third. In the women’s division, Baniya also claimed the first position, with Al-Wahda and Al-Ain securing second and third respectively.

Fahad Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAEJJF, said that preparations for the championship are nearly complete.

“The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup has enjoyed remarkable success in previous years, serving as a platform for athletes to test their skills against the best from local clubs,” he said. “This edition, focusing on the adult category, presents an opportunity for participants to enhance their technical skills and elevate their performance levels through intense competition.”

Al-Shamsi said preparations for this year’s competition began early, with training programs and camps organized to ensure the readiness of participants. The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup will have prize money totaling almost $272,000 for the winners.

Mahmoud Al-Sayed, director of the Jiu-Jitsu Academy at Al-Wahda Club, said: “We’ve been participating in the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup over the years, and our players have trained vigorously over the past few weeks to win the coveted title. We have full faith in our athletes’ skills to perform well and we are determined to secure first place this time.”

Baniyas will be going all out to retain their title, according to coach Iuri Alves.

“The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup, alongside the Jiu-Jitsu Vice President’s Cup and the Mother of The Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup, ranks among the premier jiu-jitsu events on the local scene,” he said.

“Local clubs turn out in full force to compete in the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup, vying for top spots in the competitions, which are highly intense as all clubs participate with their best athletes. Baniyas Club is the defending champion, and this year, we aim to deliver an outstanding performance and retain the title. Our athletes have been diligently preparing for weeks, and we are confident that they will excel and make us all proud.”

Asma Alhosani, representing the Baniyas team, added: “Our preparations for the championship have been anything but ordinary. We’ve witnessed our team’s brilliance over the years and are committed to upholding the club’s successful legacy by fostering a winning mentality. As the defending champions, we are collectively focused and determined to retain the title.”