Baniyas Retains Top Spot After Round 4 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club strengthened its position at the top of the overall standings following the fourth round of the third edition of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi), held on Saturday at Mubadala Arena.

The competition featured athletes in the Under-14 and Under-16 divisions and attracted strong participation from clubs and academies across the UAE. At the end of the day’s contests, Baniyas remained in first place in the overall rankings, while Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club secured second place and Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club occupied third.

Officials praised the high standard of performances displayed by young competitors, describing the event as an important platform for identifying and nurturing future talent in the sport.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said the Under-14 and Under-16 categories offer a clear glimpse into the future of jiu-jitsu in the country.

He noted that the performances seen during the championship reflect the work being carried out by clubs and academies to discover and develop young athletes through structured training programmes. According to Al-Dhaheri, the championship serves a purpose beyond competition by helping participants develop personal qualities such as discipline, respect and sportsmanship.

He also highlighted the strong turnout of families throughout the event, describing parental support as an important factor in an athlete’s development. The presence of families in the stands, he said, demonstrates the close cooperation between the federation, clubs and parents in supporting young competitors.

One of the standout moments of the day came in the Under-14 57kg division, where Maria Clara Souza captured her first gold medal in the championship.

Her father, Matheus Souza, said the victory was especially meaningful after his daughter previously earned silver and bronze medals in earlier appearances.

He explained that Maria has been practicing jiu-jitsu for two years and that the championship provides valuable competitive experience for young athletes. He added that competing in official events helps children build confidence, gain experience and learn how to handle pressure in a competitive environment.

Souza said the gold medal would serve as motivation for his daughter to continue training and prepare for future rounds of the competition.

Round 4 of the championship will conclude on Sunday with competitions featuring athletes in the Under-12 and Kids divisions, as young competitors continue their pursuit of honours in one of the UAE’s leading jiu-jitsu tournaments.