ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the lead on the opening day of the first round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

MOD UAE followed in second place, with Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club securing third.

The day featured competitions in the adult, masters and youth (under 18) categories, drawing hundreds of athletes from clubs and academies across the country.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to promote the sport locally, across the continent, and internationally. It reflects our commitment to achieving excellence in all we do. This championship highlights the continued support of our wise leadership for jiu-jitsu, a sport that instils discipline, courage and self-confidence in our younger generations. This first round marks the beginning of a promising journey, filled with aspirations to reach new heights of achievement.”

He added: “The championship aligns with the federation’s strategy to develop jiu-jitsu and strengthen its role in fostering a healthy, cohesive society. Our goal is to establish a sustainable sporting legacy for future generations by organizing events that meet international standards.”

The tournament’s ranking system ensures equality among all players, awarding points for outstanding performances while also considering factors such as strategy, techniques and skills.

Jefferson Cordero, coach at MOD Academy, said: “Our team, consisting of around 145 athletes, is proud to participate in this prestigious tournament, which features a high level of competition. It provides our team with an excellent opportunity to test the players’ capabilities. We are delighted with our team’s performance and success in securing outstanding results, adding more medals to the club’s tally, and earning points that bring us closer to winning the tournament prize.”

Tareq Al-Zaabi, an MOD Academy athlete who won the gold medal in the masters category (brown/black belt) under 62 kg, said: “It is an honor to win the gold medal in this tournament, which carries a name so dear to us. I am determined to maintain this level of performance and achieve even more in future competitions. Over the past period, I have been focused on training hard to secure this victory and contribute to our academy’s success in earning the highest points as we strive for the title. I wish my teammates all the best.”