UAE Jiu-Jitsu Team Gears Up for Global Glory in China

The UAE national jiu-jitsu team is preparing to showcase its strength and skill at the 2025 edition of The World Games, scheduled to be held in Chengdu, China, from August 7 to 17. With over 5,000 athletes from 118 countries participating across 34 disciplines, this event stands as one of the most anticipated international sporting gatherings outside the Olympics. For the UAE, it presents not just a platform for competition, but also a global stage to reinforce its dominance in the martial art of jiu-jitsu.

The UAE’s participation in Chengdu is far from symbolic. It signals the country’s relentless push to lead in sports excellence, a movement driven by strategic leadership, grassroots development, and a passion for martial arts that continues to spread across the Emirates. The 2025 Games are more than a competition they are a celebration of hard-earned progress and a chance to scale even greater heights.

Chengdu 2025: A Global Platform for Martial Arts Excellence

The World Games in Chengdu will bring together the finest martial artists from every corner of the world. Jiu-jitsu, a key discipline in the event, will be fiercely contested, with elite competitors from powerhouse nations such as Brazil, Japan, and the United States vying for medals. Against this backdrop, the UAE team enters the arena with a reputation forged through years of consistent performance and strategic sports planning.

For the athletes and coaching staff, Chengdu represents the culmination of years of training, national trials, and global exposure. But it also offers an opportunity to elevate the UAE’s brand of jiu-jitsu one that emphasizes technique, discipline, and relentless drive. With strong performances in previous international tournaments, the UAE is no longer seen as an emerging force but as a serious contender for podium finishes.

Legacy of Birmingham 2022 Fuels New Aspirations

The foundation for the UAE’s current ambitions was firmly laid at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA. That year, the team etched its name in history by securing five medals—two golds by Faisal Alketbi in the 85 kg and open weight divisions, a silver by Mohammed Alsuwaidi in the 69 kg category, and two bronzes by Shamma Alkalbani in the 63 kg and open weight brackets.

This performance was not only a breakthrough but a public declaration that the UAE had arrived in the world of elite jiu-jitsu. The medal count brought global recognition, energizing fans back home and signaling the country’s growing power in the sport. Birmingham 2022 proved to be a turning point and a major morale boost, igniting the confidence that now propels the current team toward Chengdu.

Meet the Six UAE Fighters Representing National Glory

This year, the UAE has selected a group of six top-tier athletes to carry its flag in Chengdu. Each fighter brings unique strengths and competitive spirit honed through years of rigorous training and international experience.

Mohammed Alsuwaidi will compete in the 69 kg weight class, where he previously won silver in 2022. Known for his agility and tactical intelligence, Alsuwaidi aims to turn silver into gold this time. Mehdi Alawlaki will enter the 77 kg division, bringing powerful groundwork and a rising international profile. Competing in the demanding 85 kg category is Saeed Alkubaisi, who blends strength with submission strategy.

In the women’s division, three impressive athletes will represent the Emirates. Asmaa Alhosani in the 52 kg category is a fierce competitor with a strong grip and swift transitions. Shamsa Alameri, who fights in the 57 kg division, is known for her explosive speed and high-scoring ability. Finally, Shamma Alkalbani returns to compete in the 63 kg category after winning two bronze medals in Birmingham. Alkalbani’s goal in 2025 is clear: to improve on her previous podium finish and reach the finals.

Athletes Embark on Intensive Global Training Preparations

As the countdown to the Games continues, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has initiated a comprehensive training programme. These preparations include both local camps and international exposure tours, ensuring athletes are primed physically, mentally, and technically.

The current phase includes high-altitude training, live sparring sessions, tactical drills, and endurance building. Several sessions are supervised by world-renowned coaches and technical analysts who provide in-depth match simulations and opponent-specific strategy development. The camps are designed to mimic real match intensity and promote peak performance on game day.

The Federation’s focus on conditioning, nutrition, and recovery is sharper than ever before. Sports science plays a crucial role, with each athlete receiving personalized fitness plans, mental conditioning support, and data-driven insights into match improvements. These initiatives underline the UAE’s professional and methodical approach to sporting success.

Support from UAE Leadership Powers Sporting Ambitions

The rise of jiu-jitsu in the UAE would not be possible without the vision and continued support of the nation’s leadership. Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, has emphasized how crucial this backing has been. According to him, the government’s commitment to building sports infrastructure and cultivating youth talent has created the right environment for athletes to flourish.

Thanks to this support, the UAE now boasts one of the most advanced jiu-jitsu development systems in the world. From state-of-the-art training centers in Abu Dhabi to school programs in all seven Emirates, the sport is now integrated into the fabric of Emirati society. The leadership sees sports not just as a recreational outlet, but as a diplomatic tool and a path to global recognition.

This national push is also reflected in the increasing number of Emirati youth participating in jiu-jitsu academies. Many of the athletes selected for the World Games began their journey in these programs, and their rise is a testament to the strength of the country’s homegrown pipeline

Voices from the Mat: Fighters Share Their Determination

For Mohammed Alsuwaidi, returning to The World Games is more than just a career milestonebit is a mission. “We are going into this event with full focus and determination,” he said. “We know the responsibility that comes with wearing the national colours and are ready to give our best. With the support we have and the preparation ahead of us, we are confident we can perform well.”

Shamma Alkalbani, who has already made history with her previous medals, echoed a similar sentiment. She sees her return to the Games not just as a personal challenge but as a chance to inspire other young women in the UAE to pursue excellence in martial arts.

Their determination mirrors the values of the nation discipline, perseverance, and unity. The shared commitment among all six athletes is a powerful driver of performance and team spirit.

UAE’s Rise in Jiu-Jitsu Reflects Years of Investment

The UAE’s growing international reputation in jiu-jitsu is the result of years of strategic investment and meticulous planning. Through partnerships with leading jiu-jitsu nations and the hosting of prestigious tournaments such as the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the country has built a robust global network.

These events have allowed local athletes to test themselves against world-class competition and have also brought world-class coaching talent to the UAE. The nation’s model has become a reference point for other countries looking to grow similar programs This ecosystem has turned jiu-jitsu into more than just a sport—it is now a national identity marker.

How National Programs Are Producing World-Class Talent

The inclusion of jiu-jitsu in school curriculums, youth leagues, and university tournaments has ensured that the pipeline of talent remains strong. National championships are held regularly to scout emerging athletes, and mentorship programs connect young fighters with national team members.

The success of the six athletes competing in Chengdu is a direct result of these programs. Many of them were first identified at junior championships and then guided through structured growth paths that emphasized both academic and athletic excellence.

Such long-term thinking has paid off. Today, UAE fighters are respected around the world for their discipline, sportsmanship, and technical precision qualities nurtured right from their early days in domestic training centers.

Chengdu as the Battleground: What to Expect This August

As the clock ticks closer to August, anticipation is rising across the UAE. The athletes are entering the final stages of preparation with laser focus, while fans and federation officials alike are hopeful for a strong showing.

Chengdu, known for its deep cultural heritage and modern facilities, offers a stunning backdrop for The World Games. The tournament’s high-level organization and global media coverage will place the athletes and the sport in the international spotlight.

For the UAE, the event is not only about medals. It’s about making a statement demonstrating how far the nation has come in the world of combat sports and what lies ahead in the next chapter of its sporting history.

Building Beyond Medals: Inspiring a New Generation of Athletes

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation hopes that the performance in Chengdu will encourage even more participation in the sport, especially among youth and women. Athletes like Alkalbani, Alhosani, and Alameri are role models who are breaking stereotypes and redefining what it means to be a martial artist in the Arab world.

Pride, Preparation, and a Nation’s High Hopes

The 2025 World Games in Chengdu symbolize much more than a sporting event for the UAE. They represent pride, preparation, vision, and national ambition converging on a global stage. With six well-prepared athletes ready to compete, the nation’s expectations are high but so is the belief in its champions.

Their journey is already a story worth celebrating, and what unfolds in China this August will determine how brightly the next chapter shines for UAE jiu-jitsu.