The professional division competitions of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC) began on the eighth day of the championship at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.
Competitors in Purple, Brown, and Black belts from across the globe showcased their skills in the country qualifiers, aiming to secure a spot in the main bracket of the tournament.
During the country qualifiers round, athletes faced off against compatriots in the same belt and weight divisions to qualify for the elimination stage on Thursday.
On Thursday, the professional category competitions will feature the elimination stage and finals for the purple and brown belts, along with the elimination stage for the black belt. The finals for the black belt division are scheduled for Friday.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the 15th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will run until November 10.
Youssef Abdullah Al Batran, a board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, stressed how important the professional competitions are in the championship. He also stated that an athlete can increase their chance of getting nominated for the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards in 2023 if they win in such categories.
Expressing pride in the performance of Emirati athletes securing spots in Thursday’s finals, Al Batran said, “It’s overwhelming to see Emirati champions shining in the professional division, and we have full faith in their ability to perform impressively and ascend the podium in the next days.”
Tarek Al Bahri, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), acknowledged the championship’s 15th anniversary, attracting 4,000 athletes from over 100 countries. He emphasized that the tournament plays a crucial role in boosting the professional careers and international AJP ranking of the athletes.
