Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club and Palms Sports – Team 777 claimed the top spots on the ranking table on the opening day of the NAS Sports Jiu-Jitsu Tournament 2024, held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai. Competitions for juvenile (born in 2007 and 2008) and Master divisions took place on Sunday.
Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club and Palms Sports – Team 777 emerged as champions in the Juvenile and Master divisions, respectively, while the Kazakhstan National Academy finished in second place in the Juvenile division, followed by Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club in third place. For the Master division, Commando Group secured the runner-up position, while Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club claimed third place.
The tournament, organised by the Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), is part of the 11th NAS Sports Tournament, a multisport championship held during the holy month of Ramadan every year.
Sunday’s competitions were graced by the presence of Sheikh Abdulla Bin Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Excellency Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAEJJF, H.E. Naser Aman Al-Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, along with officials and representatives of the participating clubs and academies.
H.E. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri appreciated the continuous cooperation and coordination between the UAEJJF and Dubai Sports Council in organising the tournament.
“Extending jiu-jitsu competitions to two days instead of one day in previous editions of the tournament showcases the increased demand for participation, and the efforts of the federation and the tournament’s organising committee to accommodate the requests by clubs and academies to enrol their athletes to take part in the event. The NAS Sports Jiu-Jitsu Tournament 2024 will also help athletes to sharpen their skills ahead of major upcoming events.”
Adel Al Banai, Head of the Technical Committee, NAS Sports Tournament, noted that the NAS Sports Jiu-Jitsu Tournament is improving with each edition. “This year, more than 400 male and female players are participating, which is double the number of players in previous editions. This also showcases the extent of the sport’s spread in the community, which is why we have allocated two days for the jiu-jitsu competitions.”
Aysha Mohamed Aljneibi of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, who scooped gold in the Juvenile Gi Female/Blue/Juvenile/63kg division, said: “My final fight with Brazilian Julia De Oliveira was a tough one. She was in top shape and we both were exchanging control until the last moment. I am glad I was able to reverse the situation in my favour in the end.”
Yerali Khalelov of the Kazakhstan National Team who grabbed gold in the Male/Blue/Juvenile/85kg division added: “I want to thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Dubai sports Council for organising such a wonderful championship. The feeling of standing on the podium and receiving a gold medal is always beyond description. I am glad I did it once again.”
The competitions are set to continue starting at 9 p.m. on Monday, featuring the Adults division.
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