ABU DHABI — The hosts dominated on home soil this week. The United Arab Emirates finished the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship with top honors in two major categories.Local athletes won both the Adult and Under-21 Newaza titles after nine long days of mat action in Abu Dhabi.
The event took place at the busy Mubadala Arena.More than 1,500 fighters traveled from across the globe to compete in various age groups and fight styles.The host team closed out the tournament with an impressive total of 65 medals, including 18 gold, 17 silver, and 30 bronze.
The Adult team delivered a standout run on the mats.Along with its Newaza division trophy, the UAE placed first in the general Adult rankings across all disciplines.That feat came even though team members entered only the Newaza brackets, leaving out Contact, Fighting, Duo, and Show events.
Meanwhile, the Under-21 squad secured the second overall crown for the home nation. Their victory in the youth brackets shows the depth of local talent rising through the ranks.
Federation leaders praised the high level of sport performance. Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi leads the national martial arts group. He credited national leadership programs for finding young talent and building strong champions. He noted that continuous investment in local facilities helps athletes reach elite international standards.
Key individual victories pushed the host nation to the top of the medal board. Local favorite Omar Al Fadhli took gold in the Adult Under-69kg bracket.He stated that focus and pacing were key factors against tough opponents.He added that winning at home brings more duty to stay sharp for future international tests.
Young star Abdulrahman Mohammed took home gold in the Under-21 Under-56kg division. He mentioned that the world title gives him strong confidence as he prepares to join senior ranks. He aims to carry his winning momentum into open adult competitions next season.
Local mats saw fierce bouts across every class throughout the multi-day meet. Foreign teams brought top stars to challenge host fighters, creating high-level action for spectators. Coaches noted that local athletes handled pressure well under bright lights, using precise technique and smart mat positioning to outpoint tough visitors.
The victories reflect long-term sports planning across the nation. Sports schools and local clubs have trained young fighters for over a decade. That grassroots system continues to feed steady talent into top national rosters, ensuring sustained victory on big international stages.
Supporters filled the stands each day, cheering as national team members advanced through elimination rounds. Coaches noted that crowd energy gave home athletes a distinct advantage during tough final rounds.
Tournament organizers praised all visiting countries for showing strong sportsmanship. The smooth run of the event reinforces Abu Dhabi as a key global hub for combat sports.
With double division wins secured, local athletes turn their attention to upcoming world tours. National team coaches plan to launch new training camps to keep fighters fit for future title defenses. The UAE Jiu Jitsu Championship campaign ends as a historic milestone for national sport growth.
