Al Dhaheri: Exceptional organization and wide participation reflect the spread of the sport
July 6, 2024: The eighth mixed martial arts championship for juniors concluded today (Saturday) at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai, amidst a large audience, an enthusiastic atmosphere, strong fights, and remarkable performances by a group of young talents from various clubs and academies in the country for age groups between 12 and 17 years.
The championship is the third mixed martial arts championship on the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s sports season agenda, and witnessed the participation of more than 100 male and female players, competing in a number of age and weight categories approved by the International Federation of the game. Today’s matches were characterized by enthusiasm and competition in light of the similarity of the competitors’ levels.
International specifications
His Excellency Mohammed Humaid Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the exciting atmosphere of the tournament and the professionalism of the organization, as the tournament came out with the highest international standards. Al Dhaheri praised the large public turnout, which reflects the widespread popularity of mixed martial arts across the country, in light of the unlimited support of the wise leadership. He thanked Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club for hosting the tournament for the second time in a row and providing the best competitive environment for the participating athletes.
Al Dhaheri said: “The championship reflects the Federation’s commitment to spreading and developing the sport of mixed martial arts and establishing the country’s position as a global capital for it, and providing all the capabilities to develop the skills of the nation’s youth and prepare them in the best possible way to excel in upcoming events.”
He added: “This championship provides great experiences as it gives players the opportunity to test their abilities and develop their physical and mental potential in a competitive environment that rivals international championships and contributes to establishing the next generation of champions capable of continuing the country’s achievements in various regional and international sports forums and championships.”
4 weeks
Al Dhaheri explained: “The championship was a model platform to continue preparing for upcoming events, especially the World Junior Mixed Martial Arts Championship, which will start next month in Abu Dhabi. It is considered an important station in refining the talents of our sons and daughters, athletes, and preparing them in the best possible way to represent the nation in the major global event.”
The most important in the world
For his part, Mohammed Al Hosani, a member of the Mixed Martial Arts Committee at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “MMA championships for juniors are constantly being developed and improved at the local level, based on their importance in providing a solid foundation for selecting talents capable of representing the national team and maintaining its achievements in various sporting events, especially the World Mixed Martial Arts Championship, which will be hosted by the capital, Abu Dhabi, next August, after our team achieved fifth place in its second participation in only last year’s edition, which is an unprecedented achievement considering the period of time in which this sport has developed in the country.”
“ This edition of the tournament witnessed a 27% increase in player participation, reflecting the growing interest in playing the game, and more importantly, the noticeable increase in the level of participants. Today we witnessed an exceptional performance that reflects the commitment of players, coaches and academies to developing skills and raising standards,” he added .
pivotal role
“We achieved many gains from participating in the tournament, especially from a technical perspective,” said Antonio Inacio, coach of Shabab Al Ahli. “The players were able to apply the techniques they had trained on in the past period on the ground. Participation gave our players the opportunity to adapt to different opponents, hone their talents and sustain their growth and development.”
“This championship plays a pivotal role in preparing our athletes for upcoming events, and there is no doubt that the experience gained from a technical and psychological perspective is essential to raising their readiness and preparedness to compete on the local and international levels. We are proud of the dedication and hard work of our young athletes, and we are confident that they will shine in upcoming international competitions,” he added.
gold medal
said Saeed Ahmed from Adma Academy, who won the gold medal in the Junior C category (57kg). “I was keen to follow a technical approach based on strong defence and looking for the right moments to attack. Competing in this tournament gave me the confidence and experience I need to compete in upcoming events at the highest levels.”
achieve victory C category, weight 67 kg , said : “Winning the gold medal means a lot to me on all levels. I worked on improving my fighting techniques and staying calm under pressure. All the fights I had today were a great opportunity to showcase my skills and I am excited to use this achievement in my preparations.” For the upcoming tournaments