ABU DHABI: Commando Group claimed the top spot at the Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Wednesday, part of the 17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
The final day of action at Mubadala Arena featured the men’s black belt and women’s brown/black belt divisions, with M.O.D UAE securing second and Checkmat International third.
The championship is being held 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, with more than 10,000 athletes from over 130 countries competing.
Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation said: “The matches today showed a high technical level. The masters athletes demonstrated their years of experience in the sport and showed how well they can manage their fights with confidence and strong focus.”
He added that jiu-jitsu was an inclusive sport because it supports athletes at every age, allowing them to continue competing, improving, and achieving success over many years.
Justin Ordinario from the US, representing Pablo Silva BJJ and winner of the black belt 56 kg division, said: “I’m very proud of this achievement. Competing in this division requires precision, professionalism, and full focus throughout the match.
“I had to adapt to different styles and rely on my experience to manage the fine details on the mat, which helped me stick to my game plan and reach the final with confidence.
“Competing in Abu Dhabi gives athletes a major boost because the atmosphere and organization make every match special. I’m grateful to my team and academy for their support, and I’m proud of this win. It’s an important step in my career and motivates me to keep pushing for more.”
The championship continues on Thursday with the start of the professional division for the purple, brown and black belts.
Only two competitors from each country in each weight category can advance to the main bracket matches. The purple and brown belt finals will be held on Friday, and the black belt finals on Saturday.
