The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, concluded its campaign at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh with an impressive haul of eight medals: four gold, two silver, and two bronze. The team delivered a strong performance on the second and final day of competition, facing athletes from some of the region’s most competitive national teams.
Khaled Al Shehhi clinched gold in the 62kg division, while Shamma Al Kalbani won gold in the 63kg category. Asma Al Hosani added another gold in the 52kg division, and Mahdi Al Awlaqi secured silver in the 77kg category.
The UAE topped the medal table, finishing ahead of Kazakhstan in second place and Saudi Arabia in third. Remarkably, all eight participating athletes reached the podium, reflecting the team’s rigorous preparation, the strength of its training programs, and the synergy between athletes and coaching staff. These results underscore months of dedication and hard work that contributed to their success.
H.E. Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, congratulated the team for their outstanding performance. He highlighted the growing global impact of Emirati jiu-jitsu, crediting the nation’s wise leadership and the athletes’ relentless effort.
“Maintaining this streak of achievements within a single month—at the Asian Youth Games, the World Championship in Thailand, and now the Islamic Solidarity Games—is remarkable,” Alhashmi said. “This success is the result of an integrated system that includes the athletes’ families, clubs, and the Federation’s partners. I commend the discipline and dedication of our athletes, the support of their families, and the cohesion of our technical, administrative, and medical staff, who all work together as one team.”
Helder Medeiros, Head Coach of the UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Team, added, “We are very pleased with our athletes’ performances. These results reflect months of hard work and confirm the strength of the national team at both continental and international levels, especially following our recent success at the JJIF World Championships in Thailand. The athletes displayed discipline, focus, and a competitive mindset, overcoming experienced opponents to achieve excellent results. We are proud of their medals and even more proud of the progress in their skills, which motivates them to aim even higher in upcoming competitions.”
Gold medallist Khaled Al Shehhi emphasized the team’s unity in achieving success. “This achievement is a team effort, not just an individual result. In jiu-jitsu, no athlete improves alone. Entering this championship, I carried the responsibility of representing the UAE and showcasing the hard work we put in as a team. Our results reflect our commitment and unity, and they motivate us to continue with the same spirit.”
