Abu Dhabi, 20th November, 2025 – The 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship opened with high-stakes country qualifier rounds for professional athletes in the purple, brown, and black belt divisions across all weight categories on Thursday. This fiercely contested round drew top athletes from around the world, all competing to secure their spots in the main brackets and ultimately advance to the finals.
The unique country-qualifier system allows a maximum of two athletes per country to progress in each weight category and belt level, setting the stage for a truly international showcase of jiu-jitsu talent. The finals for the purple and brown belts are scheduled for Friday, while athletes in the black belt division will compete for championship glory on Saturday.
Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri described the professional division as “the part of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship everyone looks forward to because it showcases the highest level of technique and competition.” He highlighted the day’s matches: “The country qualifier rounds today were strong and very tactical, with plenty of speed, accuracy and advanced skills on display. To progress in this division, athletes need full focus, especially the black belts who always put on impressive performances that add excitement to the championship.” Al Dhaheri further emphasized the significance of the format, stating, “The country-qualifier system shows the value of the championship and ensures wide international participation in each weight divisions. It enables the top athletes from each nation to advance to the final stages. This system raises the level of competition and motivates athletes to keep improving so they can reach the main brackets.”
Al Dhaheri also expressed satisfaction with the performances of the Emirati athletes, noting, “We are pleased with the strong performances from the Emirati athletes today, which helped them secure their places in the tomorrow’s qualification rounds. The number of qualifiers shows the progress of our training programmes and confirms that Emirati athletes are ready to compete at the highest levels.”
Faisal Alwahedi, an Emirati athlete from Baniyas Club who advanced to the purple belt main bracket qualifiers in the 69kg division, shared his excitement: “I am delighted to reach the main bracket qualifiers. It is an important step in my career. The competitions today were tough and required full focus, but the preparation over the past weeks gave me confidence on the mat. I am entering the mats tomorrow with strong motivation to win gold. I will continue studying my opponents and use my experience to deliver my best performance.”
Russian athlete Eduard Dimura, representing ZR Team International and competing in the professional black belt 94kg division, commented on the level of the competition: “Competing at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship means a lot to me. The atmosphere here is special, and the big crowd gives athletes great motivation. The championship brings together top athletes from different academies and clubs around the world. I have prepared for months and arrived in my best physical and technical shape. My goal is to give a strong performance that showcases my true skills and the work I have put in over the years. I will compete until the last second because this championship is where champions make their names.”
The championship continues on Friday with the finals for purple and brown belts alongside further black belt qualifiers. The event will conclude on Saturday with the highly anticipated professional black belt finals at 6 pm, followed by the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards on Sunday evening.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
