The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team has left for Almaty, Kazakhstan, for two major continental events at Almaty Arena this month.
The third Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship will run from July 13 to 16, followed by the 10th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship from July 17 to 19.
The UAE squad, arrives in Kazakhstan after a strong showing at last year’s Asian Championship in Amman. The team topped the adults standings and finished with 22 medals, including seven golds after the Under-21 events.
That result has added weight to this year’s campaign, but the trip to Almaty also gives the UAE another measure of where its athletes stand against Asia’s best.
Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, technical director of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the championship would be a key test for both the adults and Under-21 squads.
He said the federation had focused on technical, physical and mental preparation in recent months, with athletes selected according to their form and readiness in each weight class.
National team coach Alan Nascimento said the coaching staff had worked on team cohesion, decision-making on the mat, and the ability to adjust during contests.
The adults squad includes Omar Ali Alsuwaidi and Rashed Mohammed Alshehhi at 56kg, Khaled Mohammed Alshehhi and Mohammed Al Ketbi at 62kg, Sultan Hassan and Omar Al Fadhli at 69kg, Mahdi Al Awlaqi and Fahad Alhammadi at 77kg, Saeed Alkubaisi and Faraj Alawlaqi at 85kg, Amaar Alhosani at 94kg, and Rashid Alhimany and Hazza Farhan at over 94kg.
The Under-21 squad features Obaid Alketbi and Abdulrahman Sayedna at 56kg, Abdulrahman Ahmed Saleh Abdulhaq at 62kg, Faisal Alwahedi and Ahmed Andeez at 69kg, Abdullah Andeez and Abdulaziz Alakidi at 77kg, Saif Alameri and Majed Alshamsi at 85kg, Theyab Aljneibi at 94kg, and Abdulrahman Al Najar at over 94kg.
“The team enters the championship with a well-balanced mix of experienced athletes and promising young talent.”
