In its momentous seventh year, the championship held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, will welcome the most internationally diverse line up of male and female players ever with competitors from more than 100 different countries expected, all battling for the prestigious titles and increased prize fund of over AED 2 Million.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, organizers of the Abu Dhabi and World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup officially launched the event in the global capital of Jiu-Jitsu, Abu Dhabi. Dignitaries, special guests and renowned local players shared in the excitement and anticipation for the 7th annual installment of the globally celebrated competition.
New for 2015 will be the expanded World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup which will see even more youth from across the world compete. World-class action involving and inspiring the world Jiu-Jitsu stars of tomorrow, the Children’s Cup will run from 20-22 April and the adult’s championship will take place from 23-25 April.
The extended programme will also feature Jiu-Jitsu workshops tailored for special needs players, anti-doping workshops and family-focused sessions to provide nutrition tips and highlight the importance of a healthy body in and off the mat. Alongside the championship, the Jiu-Jitsu Federation has announced a new programme that will monitor the competition and select the best Jiu-Jitsu players to support and encourage bright talents throughout the tournament.
The event will once again be held in the state-of-the-art IPIC Arena, located in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
The 7th annual championship will also see the return of heroic Emirati players including crowd favourite Faisal Al Ketbi (Black belt) along with several others from across the nation. Referenced as the capital of Jiu-Jitsu – Abu Dhabi – will once again host international players from countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, and USA. As the official broadcaster, the championship will be aired live, on Abu Dhabi Sport TV.
In 2014, more than 2,100 fighters from over 70 countries descended upon Abu Dhabi and this year’s competition will see players go head-to-head for the titles of ‘World Champion’. Local fans will be delighted with the news that the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has confirmed that Marcus Almeida, the reigning Black Belt Open heavyweight World Champion, will feature amongst the star-studded line-up alongside female open weight black belt champion, Gabrielle Garcia.
Speaking ahead of the official launch of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015 & World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup, H.E. Abdulmunem Al Hashemi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Federation said: “We feel immense pride to launch the 2015 Championship and are confident that the 7th annual event will be a memorable one. The sheer number of quality international players, the expanded children’s cup and the ever growing standard of competition will undoubtedly set a new precedent. Through the support of our sponsors we have prepared for a world-class event and an exciting festival of activities away from the mats in the Fan Zone.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation expects more than 1,000 international entries across multiple divisions as several international trial tournaments have taken place across the globe for players to qualify for the championship.
“Jiu-Jitsu teaches all of the most positive aspects of sport requiring great mental strength, discipline while also encouraging respect. These important core values are matched by the need for increased levels of fitness and health with the body and mind being worked in equal measures,” added Al Hashemi.
The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) is the Official Partner of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and will be welcoming fans to their larger fan zone inside the arena this year. 2015 marks the second year IPIC has provided its tremendous support for the international sporting event. His Excellency Khadem Al Qubaisi, Managing Director of IPIC said: “We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his unlimited support for UAE athletes, particularly Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. We are proud to be the official partner of Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015, which will be held next month in IPIC Arena.”
“We believe that there are dozens of sporting heroes amongst the UAE population. Our responsibility is to support the UAE athletes so that they can empower to compete at a national and international level,” added Al Qubaisi.
Once again, Abu Dhabi Media has returned as esteemed media partners and Etihad Airways returns as the Official Airline, while Premier Motors and Land Rover take the position of Exclusive Automotive Partner. Also providing their backing to the championship will be Diamond Sponsors, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Al-Futtaim Group. Dolphin Energy Limited and Emirates Global Aluminum will show their support as Gold Sponsors while Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA), National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), Tawazun and Tourism and Culture Authority Abu Dhabi (TCA Abu Dhabi), take on Silver Sponsorship.
Premier Motors is the official dealer for Land Rover vehicles in Abu Dhabi & Al Ain and has been supporting the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu –Jitsu Championships since 2011.
UAE residents and Jiu-Jitsu fans are invited to witness the Championship at the IPIC Arena and partake in a number of free activities provided by sponsors in the Fan Zone. Attendees of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015 and World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup will have an even greater fan experience, an enhanced spectator programme that includes an opening ceremony, sponsor activities, family events, interactive stands, and a raffle where all visitors will have the chance to win exciting prizes of a Land Rover Discovery Sport and Jaguar XF.
The World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup 2015 and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship takes place from 23-25 April at the IPIC Arena, Zayed Sports City and are completely free to attend for all fans.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship 2015 please visit – www.uaejjf.com.document.currentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(s, document.currentScript);