UAE Minister Honors Mother Of The Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup Winners

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of state for foreign trade, honored the Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup winners in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The sporting event was held at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City on Saturday and Sunday. Its participants were top-ranked women who showcased their skills against one another in different categories, including Adult, Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14.

Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club won first place in the adult category, while the Under-18 category was dominated by Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club once again claimed the top spot in the Under-16 category, while Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club emerged as the champion the newly introduced Under-14 category. The winners collectively took home AED 400,000 as prize money.

"Emirati women have always been at the forefront of various fields, epitomizing creativity and excellence. The Mother of the Nation Jiu-Jitsu Cup serves as a pivotal platform, allowing our girls to showcase their skills and perpetuate the UAE's legacy of sporting eminence," Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federations, said, as per WAM.

"The tournament highlighted the remarkable technical prowess and unwavering determination of Emirati girls on the mat. It signifies a promising future for jiu-jitsu, producing champions who will contribute to elevating Emirati sports to unprecedented levels," he added.

Ghala Alhammadis of Palms Sports - Team 777, who bagged a gold medal in the Under-16 44kg, explained that winning in this tough competition added "a different flavor to the victory." She thanked everyone, including her coaches, club staff and the supportive audience who became a great motivation for her to give her best performance.

Aisha Alhammadi of Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, who received a gold medal in Under-14 63kg, this achievement was possible because of continuous training and unwavering support from the Federation, club, family and friends. "It wasn't easy, but my determination to win prevailed," she added.

Dana Ali Albreiki of Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club noted that Jiu-jitsu, a form of Japanese martial arts, taught her the importance of determination and preparation, which helped her get gold in her category and division. "This victory isn't just mine; it uplifts the achievements of the Al Jazira club and inspires confidence in my female colleagues," she said.

Maitha Shraim of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, who won gold in Adult 48kg, said, "This victory fuels my confidence for future competitions. I am committed to training harder and refining my techniques for greater accomplishments."

Considering upcoming sports-related events in the UAE, the Dubai Marathon in Umm Suqeim is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2024, while the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award will take place on Jan. 10.