CHENGDU, China, 11th August, 2025 – The UAE jiu-jitsu national team showcased remarkable skill on the second day of the World Games Chengdu 2025, capturing three medals and asserting their status as global contenders.
Saeed Al Kubaisi delivered a stellar performance, securing gold in the under-85kg division against formidable opponents from Portugal, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Team-mates Mehdi Al Awlaki and Mohammed Al Suwaidi added to the haul with silver medals in the under-77kg and under-69kg divisions, respectively.
The 12th edition of the World Games—a global arena for sports not yet part of the Olympic programme—runs from 7th to 17th August 2025 in Chengdu, China. The event brings together nearly 5,000 athletes representing 118 countries across 34 sports, solidifying its place as a premier international sporting showcase.
Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, stated that “Jiu-jitsu in the UAE has proven its excellence and its ability to succeed at every opportunity, supported by the sport’s continued growth and the achievements of our national team on both continental and global stages. Our athletes have consistently made the nation proud in regional and international arenas, and today’s result is even more significant given the presence of top-ranked competitors from around the world. This success is the result of the Federation’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to prepare our athletes to perform at the highest level.”
Saeed Al Kubaisi attributed his gold-medal triumph to intense dedication, remarking, “I entered the championship confident in my ability to win gold, as it’s the natural result of the hard work and intensive training we’ve put in over recent months. I want to thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the support they have given us, helping us reach this stage and make our mark at a global event of this scale.”
For Mehdi Al Awlaki, perseverance was key: “The final was tough, but I never gave up and kept pushing until the last second because my goal was gold. I’m happy to take silver in such an important championship, and I’m confident there is more to come.”
Looking ahead, the UAE athletes are set to compete in the open weight division on Tuesday. Mehdi Al Awlaki, Saeed Al Kubaisi, and Mohammed Al Suwaidi will participate in the men’s category, while Asma Alhosani, Shamsa Al Amri, and Shamma Al Kalbani will represent the UAE in the women’s competition.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
