Amman, May 26, 2025 – The UAE’s national jiu-jitsu team showed up strong at the 9th Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Jordan—and walked away on top.
Backed by Mubadala Investment Company, the UAE squad took first place in the adult division. Day 2 was all about the women, and they didn’t disappoint. They brought home five medals—two gold, one silver, and two bronze—pushing the team’s total to 12 medals and locking in the No. 1 spot overall.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 🥇 Aysha Alshamsi (45 kg)—Gold
- 🥇 Shamma Al Kalbani (63 kg)—Gold
- 🥈 Mariam Al Ali (45 kg)—Silver
- 🥉 Hamda Alshkeili (48 kg)—Bronze
- 🥉 Asma Al Hosani (52 kg)—Bronze
These women fought with grit and purpose. They went up against some of the best in Asia—and proved they belong at the top.
Mubarak Saleh Al Menhali, head of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s technical team, gave credit where it’s due: “Our women showed real skill and composure. This isn’t luck—it’s the result of long-term planning, strong leadership, and athletes who’ve put in the work.”
Shamma Al Kalbani, fresh off her win at 63kg, said, “This means everything to me. All the training, the mental focus—it paid off. Hearing the UAE anthem while standing on the podium was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Aysha Alshamsi, who grabbed gold in the 45kg class, added:
“Seeing the UAE flag rise while standing on that podium… I’ll remember it forever. This medal is for everyone back home who believed in us.”
The UAE’s final push happens Monday, May 26, with the Under-21 division. More medals are expected as the team looks to finish strong and seal their spot at the top of the championship.
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