Abu Dhabi, September: The race for the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship title enters a crucial stage this weekend, with Round 7 set to take place at Mubadala Arena from September 18–20. With the Gi standings closely contested, every result will be important as clubs look to strengthen their positions ahead of the final round.
The championship continues to support the development of jiu-jitsu in the UAE by giving athletes regular opportunities to compete, increasing participation and helping clubs and academies identify and develop talent across different age groups.
Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club leads the Gi standings ahead of Round 7, followed by Palms Sports – Team 777 and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club. All three remain in contention for the title and will be looking to add more points before the final round, with performances across different categories and weight divisions contributing to the overall standings.
Round 7 will feature the Kids categories, as well as Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 competitions, alongside the Adults and Masters divisions. With valuable points up for grabs across every category and weight division, each result could prove crucial in the title race ahead of the final round.
Several athletes from the leading clubs are set to compete, including Al Ain’s Rashid Mohammed Al Shehhi and Baniyas’ Hazza Farhan will be among the athletes to watch in the Adults Black and Brown Belt category, with both looking to deliver best results for their clubs.
The women’s competition will also be equally competitive with several leading names, including Baniyas’ Maryam Al Ali and Palms Sports’ Ghala Al Hammadi, set to take to mats. Al Ali and Al Hammadi will contest in the Purple Belt category.
With the standings tight and the final round approaching, results across every category and weight division could prove decisive. Strong performances throughout the squad will be key as the leading clubs compete for points and position in the title race.
Abdullah Salem Al Zaabi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “As we get closer to the final round, every result becomes more important. Round 7 will be an important test for the clubs as they look to maintain their performance, make the most of their squads and stay in the title race.
“The competition has been close throughout the championship, and every athlete can contribute to their club’s position. With fewer rounds remaining, there are fewer chances to make up points, so every match can make a difference to the standings.”
Zayed Al Kaabi, Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club Coach, said: “The final rounds require good preparation, especially with athletes competing across different weight divisions and categories. We need to stay focused and consistent. We want every athlete to perform at their best and help the club remain competitive until the end of the season.
“The final result depends on the whole team, so we focus on preparing every athlete while also looking at the overall result of the round. A strong performance in any category can make a difference to our position in the standings.”
Rashid Mohammed Al Shehhi, Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club athlete, said: “We want to achieve the best possible result, and we know that every athlete’s performance contributes to the club’s overall result. That gives us extra motivation and responsibility when we compete.”
Ghala Al Hammadi, Palms Sports athlete, said: “Our preparation is not only about competition day. It comes from the work we do at the academy throughout the season and the bond between athletes and coaches. I want to perform at my best and help my team in the overall standings.”
