The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team finished the 2026 Paris Open Grand Prix with 12 medals, including five golds, after two days of competition in the French capital.
The team started the event with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals on the opening day.
Abdulrahman Abdulhaq claimed the UAE’s first gold in the 62kg category. Faisal Alwahedi followed with victory in the 69kg division.
Ahmad Khalifa Andeez took silver at 69kg, while Rashed Mohammed Alshehhi and Abdulrahman Sayedna Sayed Mohammed both won bronze in the 56kg category.
The UAE added seven more medals on the second day.
Maryam Adnan Ali won gold at 45kg, Balqees Abdulkarim took gold at 48kg, and Ammar Khalil Al Hosani claimed gold in the 94kg division.
Al Anoud Ibrahim Al Harbi earned silver at 48kg, while Saeed Hamad Al Kaabi took silver at 85kg.
Abdullah Ahmed Al Kaabi added bronze at 94kg, with Meera Hassan Al Hosani also taking bronze in the 52kg category.
The Paris event brought together athletes from several countries, giving the UAE team a useful test against different styles and approaches.
Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the team’s performance and said the event is one part of a longer preparation plan.
“The level demonstrated reflects a clear commitment to the technical programme and the ability to execute under the demands of high-level competition, where managing each phase of the bout requires precision and discipline,” Al Dhaheri said.
“This participation forms part of a long-term preparation programme focused on enhancing performance quality, and preparing athletes to compete against opponents from different technical schools.”
“The continued support of the UAE leadership provides the framework that enables this approach, offering regular exposure to high-level competition, which is reflected in the team’s progress and growing ability to succeed internationally.”
Abdulhaq said his level was “high from the first bout” and added that “staying focused made the difference”.
Balqees said: “At this level, success comes from making the right decisions at the right time.”
The medal return gives the UAE another strong result on the international jiu-jitsu circuit and offers further evidence of the squad’s depth across weight categories.
