The 5th round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi) will take place from June 26-28 2026 at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the participation of 3,000 male and female athletes representing leading clubs and academies across the UAE.
Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the championship highlights the UAE’s commitment to developing the sport of jiu-jitsu, identifying talent and nurturing future champions. The event is supported by the nation’s wise leadership and guided by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s Board of Directors, chaired by His Excellency Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohamed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
The championship is generating strong interest following the conclusion of Round 4, which saw Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club leading the Gi standings, followed by Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in second place and Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club in third.
The event will take place over three days. The first day will feature competitions in the under-18, adult and masters divisions. The second day will be dedicated to boys and girls in children’s categories, while the final day will feature athletes in the under-12, under-14 and under-16 divisions.
His Excellency Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The fifth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship reflects the maturity of the competitive structure that the Federation has established within the domestic season. The championship has become an important benchmark for measuring club development, and their success in building strong athlete pathways across different age groups.
“The participation of nearly 3,000 athletes highlights the remarkable growth of jiu-jitsu in the UAE and reflects the efforts of clubs and academies in attracting and developing talent. Family attendance, in line with the Year of the Family, adds an important social dimension to the championship by strengthening family bonds and promoting values such as discipline, confidence and commitment among young athletes.”
His Excellency noted that Gi competitions provide an advanced technical test for athletes due to the tactical patience, control and match awareness they require, describing Round 5 as an important stage in preparing athletes for upcoming competitions and providing coaches with valuable insights into areas that require further development ahead of the decisive stages of the season.
Zayed Obaid Al Kaabi, Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club coach, said: “ The team enters Round 5 with strong ambitions to strengthen its position in the title race after finishing second in Round 4. This stage requires maximum concentration in every match because small details can have a major impact on club standings. Our coaching staff has spent recent weeks analysing performances from previous rounds, focusing on improving match management, technical transitions and athletes’ ability to adapt to different styles of competition.
“Gi competitions require a careful balance between physical strength, mental composure and technical discipline. Competing against strong clubs such as Baniyas and Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club adds significant technical value to the championship and helps raise performance standards. Our goal is to reduce the gap to the leaders and secure as many points as possible as we continue our push through to the end of the season.”
The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to consolidate its position as one of the leading events on the national sporting calendar, offering regular competitions, and witnessing increasingly advanced technical standards as well as strong participation from clubs, families and fans. This reflects the continued success of the UAE’s jiu-jitsu ecosystem, and its global leadership in developing the sport and preparing generations capable of competing and excelling at regional and international levels.
