ABU DHABI, nineteenth September, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, on Friday, has departed for Japan forward of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the place the jiu-jitsu competitors will happen from October 1-3 and have a few of Asia’s main athletes.
The squad contains 16 athletes, comprising 10 males and 6 girls, who will symbolize the UAE throughout all weight divisions.
The males’s squad contains Omar Al Suwaidi and Khaled Al Shehhi at 62kg, Ahmed Andeez and Omar Alfadhli at 69kg, Mahdi Al Awlaqi and Fahad Al Hammadi at 77kg, Saeed Alkubaisi and Faraj Al Awlaqi at 85kg, and Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Amaar Al Hosani at 94kg.
The girls’s squad options Alanood Al Harbi and Balqees Alhashmi at 48kg, Asma Alhosani and Shamsa Al Ameri at 52kg, and Shamma Al Kalbani and Aisha Al Jneibi at 63kg.
The squad brings collectively skilled athletes who’ve competed at main continental and worldwide occasions and rising expertise, because the UAE seems to be to construct on its sturdy report in Asian competitors.
The staff heads to Japan after an intensive preparation programme that included Asian and worldwide championships, in addition to a coaching camp in Brazil. The camp centered on technical and bodily preparation, whereas giving the athletes worthwhile expertise competing towards opponents with completely different kinds.
Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, Technical Director on the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, mentioned: “The team has had a strong preparation period ahead of the Asian Games. The training camp in Brazil was an important part of our preparations, giving the athletes the chance to train at a high level and compete against athletes with different styles of jiu-jitsu.
“We centered on bettering the athletes’ technical abilities, match administration and bodily and psychological readiness. We are assured within the staff and consider the athletes are able to carry out at their greatest and construct on the UAE’s achievements at earlier Asian Games.”
The UAE heads to Aichi-Nagoya with a strong Asian Games record. The National Team won nine of the UAE’s 14 medals at Jakarta 2018 before topping the jiu-jitsu standings at Hangzhou 2022 with 10 medals, including four gold.
Shamma Al Kalbani, a gold medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, said: “Winning gold in Hangzhou gave me worthwhile expertise and confidence, however each competitors is completely different. Previous success doesn’t assure something, so I must be absolutely centered and ready for each match in Japan.
“Representing the UAE at the Asian Games is a big responsibility. Everyone in the team wants to perform at their best and continue the UAE’s success in jiu-jitsu.”
The UAE will face sturdy competitors in Aichi-Nagoya, with the extent of jiu-jitsu persevering with to enhance throughout Asia. The National Team will must be absolutely ready technically, bodily and mentally because it seems to be so as to add to its sturdy Asian Games medal report.