Sharjah 24 – WAM: An unbeaten medal strike in the Under-16 and Adults divisions has given the UAE national jiu-jitsu team a stunning start at Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, supercharging its bid to retain the title.

As the first week of the championship concludes at Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City, the hosts sit strong at the medal table with grand total of 29 medals.

The national team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, has 10 gold, 7 silver, and 12 bronze medals in its kitty as it awaits to compete in the Under-21 and Under-18 categories, which will certainly enhance the squad’s medal tally and winning prospects.

Jessica Henrique, coach of the Women’s national jiu-jitsu team, appeared more assured than ever at this point and expressed her satisfaction with the performance of the athletes.

“Our girls did a fantastic job in the U-16 division. On the second day of the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, ten of our girls earned medals. This is no small feat and explains the higher level our younger competitors have attained as well as the growth of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

“The women Adult team also put up a terrific performance; they have demonstrated their capacity to succeed anywhere in the world. Notwithstanding fierce competition from the best players in the world, they managed to win a set of bronze medals, I am super proud of them,” she added.

Henrique urged the public to support and encourage the team at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena during the competitions for the U-21 and U-18 categories.

Leading the women team’s charge in Abu Dhabi in the Under-16s was Zamzam Alhammadi, who won gold in 52 Kg division. She termed winning gold a ‘special moment’.

“Standing on the podium felt quite surreal. Taking on players from other countries is always challenging, and I must admit that I was a little anxious, but I’m glad I made it. Although I was well-prepared for the competition, things went better than I had anticipated. I’m super happy. Congratulation to all the team members who received medals.

This is a good beginning and an inspiration to secure many more medals in the upcoming championships, both domestically and internationally,” she said.

Shamsa Al Ameri, who grabbed silver medal in the U-16 category (Under 48 kg), too expressed similar sentiments, “When it was decided for me to participate in the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, I promised myself that I would do my best while training and not give up until winning the medal. The tournament was full of challenges, but I managed to overcome them and achieve the medal,” she noted.