UAE women clinched three gold medals at the Jiu‑Jitsu World Championship. On Thursday, Aug. 7, the adult division opened with a five‑medal haul for the host nation, underscoring the strength of the UAE squad on home soil. The event took place at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, a venue that has become synonymous with world‑class jiu‑jitsu competitions.
Gold medals lift UAE women's tally: Asma Al‑Hosani (under‑52 kg), Balqees Al‑Hashmi (under‑48 kg) and Shamma Al‑Kalbani (under‑63 kg) each stood on the podium, delivering the golds that headlined the UAE’s five‑medal collection. Their victories came as the championship, hosted by the UAE Jiu‑Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and organized by the Jiu‑Jitsu International Federation, gathered more than 1,500 athletes from around the world.
The two additional silver medals, won by Maryam Al‑Ali (under‑45 kg) and Al‑Anoud Al‑Harbi (under‑48 kg), pushed the national team’s overall count to 57 medals since the championship began on Aug. 1, highlighting the depth of talent across weight categories.
The success of the women’s team reflects a broader commitment to developing jiu‑jitsu in the UAE, a sport that has grown rapidly in recent years. Competing in front of a supportive home crowd at Mubadala Arena added an extra layer of motivation, and the athletes’ preparation paid off, as evidenced by the medal haul achieved early in the tournament.
Athletes and officials reflect on success: “Our athletes showed how much women’s jiu‑jitsu has grown in the UAE. They competed with confidence against some of the world’s best athletes in a competition of the highest standard.” — Yousef Abdullah Al‑Batran, board member, UAE Jiu‑Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
Al‑Kalbani, after her victory, said, “I had three tough matches today, but thankfully I was able to win all of them. We have been training continuously since the Asian Championship two weeks ago to make sure we arrived at the World Championship in the best possible condition.”
Al‑Hosani dedicated her gold to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al‑Nahyan, the UAE president, as well as her family and the nation’s people, noting, “Winning on home soil makes this achievement even more special and motivates me to keep working hard for my country.”
The championship continues on Friday with the adult men’s competition, as the UAE National Team pursues a seventh consecutive world title, keeping the momentum built by the women’s performances.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the gold medals for UAE women at the Jiu‑Jitsu World Championship? The gold medals were won by Asma Al‑Hosani (under‑52 kg), Balqees Al‑Hashmi (under‑48 kg) and Shamma Al‑Kalbani (under‑63 kg).
How many total medals has the UAE collected at the Jiu‑Jitsu World Championship so far? The UAE’s medal tally reached 57 medals after the women’s team contributed three golds and two silvers during the first days of the tournament.
Where was the Jiu‑Jitsu World Championship held in Abu Dhabi? The championship took place at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, the venue commonly used for world‑class jiu‑jitsu events.
When does the Jiu‑Jitsu World Championship in Abu Dhabi end? The tournament runs through 9 August 2026, having started on 1 August.
In which weight categories did UAE women win gold at the championship? UAE women secured gold in the under‑52 kg (Asma Al‑Hosani), under‑48 kg (Balqees Al‑Hashmi) and under‑63 kg (Shamma Al‑Kalbani) divisions.
