Amin Abbas

DUBAI: With exceptional performances from athletes on its final day, the Asian tour of the AJP Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded the three-day championship in Dubai.

Organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in partnership with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), the competition provided a thrilling experience for fans who came to support their favorite players.

Taking place at Dubai’s Shabab Al-Ahli club, the three-day championship featured intense matches, bringing together local and international professional athletes.

The third day, dedicated to professional athletes, witnessed A.F.N.T as the champion and Commando Group as the runner-up, while Kazakhstan National Athletes secured the third position.

The athletes delivered impressive performances on the mat during the second day while the audience enjoyed their exceptional skills. Additionally, the blue belt amateur athletes showed a great display of their talent, confirming their ability to compete at the highest levels.

His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the overall level of the tournament and its success in providing a platform for the brightest professional athletes to showcase their skills and compete fiercely for a place on the podium.

“The high participation rates were driven by the tournament’s quality and high technical standards, as well as the desire of clubs and academies to ensure their players are fully prepared for upcoming key events like the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship,” Al Dhaheri said.

Rodrigo Valerio, Operations Director at Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), emphasized that the AJP Tour Asia, commented on the event saying “the significant presence of professionals in the AJP Asia Championship, coming from abroad, indicates that they have entered a crucial phase of preparations for the upcoming competitions.”

Kazakh Galina Duvanova, a black belt from the Kazakh National Academy, who achieved gold in the professional women’s 62 kg weight class, expressed her gratitude saying “I am proud of the performance I displayed today, which is the result of continuous work with the technical staff and their wise decision to hold a camp for academy players in the UAE to prepare for upcoming competitions.”

Emirati champion Marwa Al Hosani, a purple belt from Baniyas Club, delivered an impressive performance and secured gold in the women’s 70-kg category. She dedicated her achievement to her club, her supporters, and everyone who contributed to her significant victory.

“My goal was to improve my ranking within the AJP’s standings, and I successfully added 1,400 points to my score. Most importantly, I managed to outperform notable players from Germany and Colombia,” she said.

Bahraini athlete Ali Monfaradi, who won gold in the black belt competitions in the professional category, said “I am proud of the achievement I attained today and the victories in all the tough fights I faced against champions from South America.”

Athletes are now preparing for the 15th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which will be held in November.