Recent successes at local and international jiu-jitsu tournaments will hopefully see more of the capital’s youth getting involved in the sport.
The success of the first annual Aldar Academies Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2015, and local competitors’ placings at the recent Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union qualifying tournament in India, show the growing popularity of the sport in the UAE.
Jiu-jitsu is a martial art that combines attack, joint lock and defensive tactics. It promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger opponent with specific techniques.
The sport first came to the UAE in the late 1990s thanks to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an ardent martial arts fan. Today, jiu-jitsu is being eyed as a potential UAE national sport.
Faisal Al Ketbi, the UAE’s top-ranked jiu-jitsu fighter, says, “It’s not just about the idea of combat but rather the value of instilling discipline and setting out goals for kids to achieve.”
Mohammed Abdullah, a 14-year-old who competed in Aldar’s inter-scholastic competition, loves how the sport pushes him: “I train three times a day. Jiu-jitsu teaches me to focus and strive to get to the next level.”
Another competitior, 15-year-old Khalifa Humeid Alkaabi, credits jiu-jitsu for inspiring him to take on a healthy lifestyle.
“I used to consume junk food and soft drinks,” he reveals. “Now I have to watch my diet to make sure that I’m fit to train and compete.”
But the benefits go beyond grappling on the mat.
“Because my coach talks to me in English, my understanding of the language improves tremendously, which is a great confidence booster,” adds Alkaabi.
The recent Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union qualifying tournament, which took place at the end of May, saw UAE fighters nab seven medals, three of which were gold.
