UAE National Team to compete in World Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2024 in Croatia. ACTION UAE

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, is gearing up to make a strong impression at the World Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2024, taking place on Saturday, 24 August, in Zadar, Croatia.

Organised by the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, the championship will bring together more than 350 athletes from 24 countries, competing across various age groups and weight divisions. The UAE National Team consists of 21 athletes.

The World Jiu-Jitsu Cup marks the team’s fourth international appearance this year. Previously, the UAE team successfully defended their title at the eighth edition of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship for the fourth consecutive year at the Grand Prix Thailand Open 2024, and delivered a strong performance at the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union Regional Championship West Asia in Jordan.

Mubarak Al Menhali, Director of the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, that The National Team’s participation in the World Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2024 is part of the constant efforts to assert the dominance in continental and international competitions. 

"This championship tests our team’s readiness and provides valuable experience for our athletes by competing against some of the world’s best teams. This aligns with the Federation’s strategy to focus on youth development, supporting and enhancing their skills. We are confident that team members are fully committed and prepared to face tough competitions and honour UAE’s name on world stage," he added.

21 UAE athletes will compete at the 2024 World Cup in Croatia. ACTION UAE
21 UAE athletes will compete at the 2024 World Cup in Croatia. ACTION UAE

According to Pedro Damasceno, coach of the U18 team, the World Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2024 is crucial, as it will provide insight into the current standing and help to prepare for the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Greece.

"Our athletes are ready, and the National Team is well-prepared. With strong support from the federation and clubs, we are confident everything will go smoothly and hope to achieve a great result. We have four coaches accompanying the team, including myself as the head coach for U18. We appreciate the support from the federation members and organisers, who have been instrumental in our preparations. We hope to see strong performances from our fighters and are eager to put everything we've worked on over the past two months to the test," said Damasceno.

The U18 team includes Obaidi Saeed Alketbi (-52kg), Saeed Alnuaimi and Salem Alqabaisi (-62kg), Ahmed Andeez and Harib Alhammadi (-69kg), Abdulrahman Al Salah and Salem Salah (-77kg), and Abdulla Ahmed Aldarmaki and Theyab Aljneibi (-85kg).

In the U16 division, Zayed Alhammadi and Hamdan Alnajar will compete in the -52kg category, Hamdan Mubarak Aldhaheri and Hazza Ahmed Alkaabi in the -56kg category, Saif Hamad Al Ameri and Mansour Alkaabi in the -62kg category, and Yousef Alkhoori and Abdulla Andeez in the -69kg category.

For the U14 division, Saoud Alblooshi will compete in the -36kg category, Mayed Alhosani in the -40kg category, and Khalfan Mohamed Alqubaisi and Ahmed Alketbi will represent the UAE in the -48kg weight class.