FUJAIRAH: The second round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship got underway on Friday at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah, with youths, adults and masters all on show.
Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the lead on day one, followed by M.O.D UAE in second place and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.
“What we are seeing in this round shows the progress of jiu-jitsu in the UAE,” UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation board member Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran said.
“The competition is not only about what happens on the mat, as clubs, athletes and families all play a central role. The strong family presence shows how closely the community is connected to the sport and how important support is in developing athletes.
“This round gives a clear picture of the level across all categories. Youth athletes are improving quickly, adults are competing with good discipline and masters bring valuable experience,” he said.
“This mix adds depth to the competition and shows how the championship supports development at every stage.”
Ribamar Santiago, coach of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, said: “This round is important to assess how ready the athletes are, especially with the level of competition and the different challenges in each. The championship is not just about results but also about measuring performance and the ability to adapt.
“Designing the championship into different rounds allows clubs to plan long term, as success depends on consistency and performance across all stages. This pushes teams to develop athletes who can maintain a high level throughout the season.”
