Abu Dhabi: Capping an intense weekend of action, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club took first place in the AJP No-Gi Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023, on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City. The A.F.N.T and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Jiu-Jitsu Club finished in second and third place, respectively.
 
The championship, organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), marked the first competition in the thrilling new season of AJP events. As the competitions for the Amateur and Professional divisions were held on Sunday, the second day of the event, the UAE topped the country ranking, followed by Brazil and Russia in second and third.
 
His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al-Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAEJJF, presented trophies to the clubs that had taken the top three positions in a ceremony that was held after the competition. 
 
Yousef Al Batran, Board Member of the UAEJJF, congratulated the winners for their remarkable performances on Sunday. “Given the athletes' incredible performances this weekend and the participation of hundreds of players from across the nation and beyond, we can say with sure that the 2023 sports season will be terrific. It further shows how the UAEJJF’s vision of developing the sport and nurturing future champions is succeeding,” he said.
 
Al Batran stressed that the UAE athletes had done admirably and above expectations and complimented the boisterous spectators who had gathered to cheer the athletes.
 
According to Tariq Al-Bahri, Director General of the AJP, the competition was a tremendous success and is attaining the desired quality outcomes. 
 
“I would like to thank clubs and academies both inside and outside the UAE for their support of the championship and for their faith in the events we organise in terms of promoting the best players and enabling them to develop fighting techniques and experiences. We will continue to coordinate such events across the emirates and abroad to promote jiu-jitsu,” he said.
 
Ahmed Almahri, a competitor from the UAE who competed for Al Wahda Club and won gold in the Blue/Amateur/56kg class, said: “I am glad that I could make it to the podium and gain 600 rating points at the start of the season. I undertook extensive training prior to the event which, I believe, enabled me to win all my matches today and take home the gold.”
 
Oman Sur Academy's Abdullah Khamis Hamood Al Farsi, who secured the bronze in the Brown / Professional / 69kg category, said: “I had long wanted to compete in this prestigious event, so I decided to put off my work and studies to compete in Abu Dhabi. These tournaments in Abu Dhabi are the real deal for international players as it gives the chance to socialise with the best players in the world.”
 
For his part, Paulo Pinto from Commando Group Academy who participates in the Men's  Black / Professional / 120KG division said: “Every time I fight in the Abu Dhabi and UAE championships, I feel as if I'm competing in the jiu-jitsu homeland. Nobody better embodies the virtues of the noble game than the UAE society. I’m glad to be around them.”