Three gold medals lift UAE tally to 57 at Jiu-Jitsu World Championship 2026
Adult men's contests begin on Friday at Mubadala Arena
ABU DHABI – Asma Al Hosani, Balqees Al Hashmi and Shamma Al Kalbani struck gold as the UAE women's jiu-jitsu team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, made an impressive start to the Adult division at the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship on Thursday at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The trio led a strong display by the hosts, who claimed five medals on the opening day of the women's competition. With three gold and two silver medals added to their collection, the UAE national team's overall tally at the championship climbed to 57 medals.
Hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and organised by the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, the championship runs until August 9. More than 1,500 athletes from around the world are competing in the event, with Abu Dhabi once again serving as the stage for one of the sport's biggest international competitions.
The opening day of the Adult women's division featured high-quality contests from the early rounds, with UAE athletes delivering composed performances against strong international opponents. Their consistency across multiple weight categories saw them reach several finals and secure another successful day on the medal table.
Winning start
Asma Al Hosani captured gold in the Under-52kg division, while Balqees Al Hashmi topped the Under-48kg category. Shamma Al Kalbani completed the golden treble by claiming the Under-63kg title after overcoming three demanding bouts.
Maryam Al Ali added a silver medal in the Under-45kg division, while Al Anoud Al Harbi secured another silver in the Under-48kg category to complete the UAE's five-medal haul.
The day's competition was attended by Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation; Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for People of Determination and Senior Citizens Affairs at the Ministry of Family; Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation; Luis Miguel Merlano Hoyos, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the UAE; Panagiotis Theodoropoulos, President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation; Kerrith Brown, President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation; and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and Secretary-General of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union. The dignitaries also took part in the medal ceremonies.
More than winning medals
Hessa Tahlak said hosting the world championship reflects the important role sport plays in the UAE, helping young people grow into healthy, confident and disciplined individuals.
"Championships like this are about more than winning medals. They inspire young people by showing the value of commitment, hard work and perseverance, while encouraging them to discover their talents and make sport part of their daily lives," she said.
She added that families play a vital role in encouraging children to participate in sport and supporting them as they develop into confident and responsible individuals.
"This championship reflects the UAE's vision of putting people and families at the heart of development and providing an environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential and enjoy a better quality of life."
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran said the latest results highlighted the remarkable growth of women's jiu-jitsu in the UAE.
"Our athletes showed how much women's jiu-jitsu has grown in the UAE. They competed with confidence against some of the world's best athletes in a competition of the highest standard. These medals are especially important because they were won in the Adult division against strong international opponents," he said.
"We are proud of the determination and competitive spirit our athletes showed throughout the competition. We hope these results will inspire them to achieve even more success in the future. Our goal is not just to win medals but to continue strengthening the UAE's position in jiu-jitsu on the world stage."
Athletes’ reaction
Gold medallist Shamma Al Kalbani said her victory followed weeks of intensive preparation after the Asian Championship.
"I had three tough matches today, but thankfully I was able to win all of them. We have been training continuously since the Asian Championship two weeks ago to make sure we arrived at the World Championship in the best possible condition," she said.
"I am very happy to have won another gold medal for the UAE. Competing at home in front of our fans gave me extra motivation to perform at my best."
Asma Al Hosani expressed her delight after securing the Under-52kg title and dedicated her achievement to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, as well as the people of the UAE, her family and friends.
"Winning on home soil makes this achievement even more special and motivates me to keep working hard and achieve even more success for my country," she said.
The championship continues on Friday with the Adult men's competition, as the UAE National Team looks to add to its medal tally while continuing its pursuit of a seventh consecutive world title.