The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team launched their campaign at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in spectacular fashion, capturing two medals on the opening day with one gold and one silver.
Leading the charge was Obaid Alketbi, who clinched gold in the fiercely contested 56kg division. Teammate Salem Alqubaisi followed up with a silver in the 62kg category.
The competition brought together elite young talent from across the continent, but the UAE squad stood out for their technical execution, composure, and tactical discipline, attributes honed through an intensive training camp ahead of the Games.
Silver medallist Salem Alqubaisi
Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, H.E. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, said:
“These victories are a reflection of the unwavering support of our wise leadership, which provides every opportunity for our athletes to succeed.”
Alketbi, speaking after his gold medal win, said:
“I’m proud of this achievement after months of hard training and preparation. The competition was tough, but our determination to make the UAE proud gave us the push we needed.”
Silver medallist Alqubaisi added:
“The level of competition was very high, but with strong preparation, guidance from our coaches, and encouragement from my teammates, I was able to perform well. It’s an honour to represent my country here.”
With the jiu-jitsu events ongoing, the UAE team is looking to build on its early success and add to its medal tally in the coming days.
