The AJP Tour Fujairah International Pro Championship kicked off at Zayed Sports Complex on Saturday with stellar performances from emerging players in Teens, Youth, and Men’s Masters categories. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, Commando Group came in first on the opening day of the championship while AFNT and Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club took second and third places respectively.
About 800 athletes from 50 different countries competed in the championship, which was organised by the UAEJJF in partnership with AJP. The first day’s competitions, held across seven mats, were noted for their high levels of performance, distinction, and remarkable brilliance for a group of emerging talents. The top finisher in each category received 600 ranking points under the AJP-approved ranking.
The AJP Tour Fujairah International Pro Championship is the third event of the AJP Championships, which consists of five legs held in different regions of the country. The opening day saw the UAE take first place in the country rankings, ahead of Colombia and Brazil.
His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Brigadier Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, chairman of the UAE Taekwondo Federation, His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and several officials from the Federation and representatives of clubs and academies attended the competitions on the first day of the tournament.
His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi was presented with two commemorative shields at the event by the UAEJJF and the Fujairah Martial Arts Club in appreciation of his constant support of jiu-jitsu and other martial arts competitions, as well as his contribution to highlighting the nation’s global leadership in the fast-growing popular sport.
“The UAE continues to excel and solidify its position as a home for jiu-jitsu,” said Al Zeyoudi. “The strongest evidence of our country’s excellence in hosting and managing the largest sporting events and championships is the fantastic performance we saw in the Zayed Sports Complex today and the great response by the public to the competitions.”
His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Federation, extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Crown Prince of Fujairah for his great support for the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. “The biggest assurance for the tournament’s success and achievements was His Highness’ support. The primary tenet of the nation’s leadership in this sport on a global scale is the support of our wise leadership.”
Historic Partnership with ADNOC
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the UAEJJF entered a new phase of partnership at the Fujairah International Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship to promote athletes and grow the popularity of the sport. ADNOC is competing in the championship with a team made up of a number of powerful and promising staff members. Purple belt Abdullah Al-Sanani from the ADNOC team was able to win bronze in the masters (85kg) category.
Al Anoud Ibrahim Al Harbi, a yellow belt holder and member of the Palms Sports – Team 777, expressed her joy at winning gold in the championship’s junior category for the 48kg weight class.
“Winning a medal in front of a sizable crowd of supporters in a remarkable environment of fervour was a wonderful experience,” she said. “Such competitions foster a desire to maintain dominance and enhance one’s game to reach the professional ambitions of this sport.”
Awareness of Children’s Rights
On the sidelines of the tournament, the Ministry of Interior organised a workshop on the protection of children’s rights, and its impact on safeguarding the gains of society. Several officials and administrators of the UAEJJF participated.
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