Abu dhabi: Leading athletes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Championship have praised the high level of competition throughout the season, highlighting Abu Dhabi's growing status as one of the world's premier destinations for the sport.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was held over three days at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City and featured broad international participation and high-level competition across multiple categories. Cameroonian Pablo Maiko of Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club remarked that winning gold after three challenging bouts underscored the strength of the competition and the calibre of participating athletes.
Binov of Tajikistan, representing Alliance Rio Team, described his first participation in the championship as an exceptional experience, commending the tournament's international stature and professional organisation. Haya Al Jahouri of Bani Yas Club and the UAE national team noted that the increasing number of international participants reflects the championship's rising global profile and provides Emirati athletes with valuable exposure to top-level competition.
Bahraini athlete Mohammed Al Najjar, who won bronze in the brown belt division, expressed that earning a medal amid such strong competition represented a significant achievement. Emirati athlete Abdulaziz Saud, who secured third place in the adult category, observed that the championship becomes more competitive with each edition due to the participation of internationally experienced athletes.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam has further solidified Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global destination for combat sports and jiu-jitsu.