Amin Abbas

ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro Tour (AJP) ended on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, with Commando Group securing first place.

The event, organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), featured competitions in the amateur and professional divisions on the final day, with A.F.N.T. claiming second place and Sharjah Self Defense third.

On Friday, competitions for the Kids, Infant, and Junior divisions were held, which saw the UAEJJ Arena Academy claim first place, Sharjah Self-Defense secure second, and Palms Sports finish third.

Competitions for the Teen and Master divisions took place on Saturday, and Commando Group topped the medal table, pushing A.F.N.T. to a close second place, while Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club secured the third position.

The Commando Group, a professional team based in the UAE dedicated to martial arts, made a significant impact on the tournament with the participation of more than 200 athletes across various categories, including the professional category.

“I am proud of the performance of our athletes. I would like to express my gratitude to the UAEJJF for organizing this championship, which offered an unparalleled experience for athletes and fans alike,” Thiago Barreto, the group’s coach, said.

“I believe the impressive performances by the Commando Group can be attributed to the dedication of the athletes, their sacrifices, and their desire to elevate the level of their technical skills. Our players deserve the title, as they performed outstandingly, demonstrating remarkable technical prowess and determination,” he added.

Christian Lara, who won gold in the Men’s Gi/Brown/Professional/69kg division representing Commando Group, said: “I couldn’t be happier. I faced some of the most brilliant players in the world, and the competitive atmosphere at the arena was amazing. I’m sure it will enhance the physical and mental aspects of preparation for future tournaments.”

The competitions, held from Feb. 2 to 4, were attended by dignitaries, including Abdulmunem Alsayedmohamed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union; Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Yousef Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; as well as officials from participating clubs and academies.

Al Shamsi said regarding the event, “The tour met our organizational and technical goals, attracting a sizable crowd and media attention. It showcased world-class competitions, enabling local and international athletes, especially in the black and brown belt divisions, to test their skills and assess their physical and mental readiness at the beginning of the new season.”

“The Championship, which marked the first event in the UAEJJF’s calendar, boosted the optimism of the athletes for what promises to be an action-packed season and served as a platform for discovering new talents. Over three days, we witnessed impressive performances from emerging athletes who have high potential for growth and professional careers in the sport,” he added.

Al Shamsi further praised the outstanding performance of Emirati athletes, particularly in the professional category, emphasizing that the UAE continues to produce champions and is at the forefront of promoting jiu-jitsu at the international level.

Additionally, Tareq Al-Bahri, AJP’s General Manager, noted that the increased participation of athletes in the championship demonstrates that clubs and academies acknowledge the championship’s role in elevating athletes’ physical and mental levels, as well as in developing and refining their skills, by engaging with strong players who have a long career and experience.

“Athletes and clubs try not to miss the event, as it offers 1,000 AJP ranking points for the first-place winners, contributing to the enhancement of their rankings in their respective weight and belt categories. This will help them qualify for the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards at the end of the season, which celebrate the best individual winners as well as the best local and international clubs and academies,” he said.

“Accumulating ranking points will also help athletes with other benefits, such as eligibility for travel benefits during the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship,” added Al Bahri.