How a UAE Team Dominated the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championships with 55 Medals

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-07-21

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team just pulled off something incredible at the Asian Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan. They walked away with 55 medals across four age groups, and honestly, the numbers are staggering. Let me break it down for you: 20 gold, 15 silver, and 20 bronze. That's not just winning, that's domination. And it happened at two major events held back-to-back from July 13 to 19, 2026: the third Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship and the 10th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship. ### The Adult Division: Where Champions Are Made The real highlight came from the adult competition. The UAE team successfully defended their Asian title, finishing at the top of the overall standings with 15 medals. That's a huge deal because the adult division is where the toughest athletes compete, and retaining a title there shows consistent excellence. Mubadala Investment Company sponsored the team, and their support clearly paid off. The athletes trained hard, and it showed on the mats. ### Breaking Down the Medal Haul Here's what the team accomplished across all categories: - **Under-16**: Strong performance with multiple medals - **Under-18**: Solid showings from the younger competitors - **Under-21**: The bridge between youth and adult competition - **Adult**: The crown jewel with the team title retained The total medal count of 55 is impressive, but what really stands out is the balance: 20 gold, 15 silver, and 20 bronze. That means the UAE team didn't just win in a few categories, they were competitive across the board. ### What This Means for the Future of UAE Jiu-Jitsu This kind of performance doesn't happen by accident. The UAE has been investing heavily in martial arts, especially jiu-jitsu, for years. They've built training centers, brought in world-class coaches, and developed a pipeline from youth to adult competition. When you see a team win 55 medals across four age groups, it tells you the system is working. These kids start young, learn the fundamentals, and progress through the ranks until they're competing at the highest levels. The fact that they retained the Asian title in the adult division is especially significant. It means the current generation of athletes is not just good, they're consistently good. And with the youth categories also performing well, the future looks bright. ### A Campaign Worth Celebrating Seven days of competition, hundreds of matches, and 55 medals. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team didn't just participate in the Asian Championships, they dominated them. From the youngest competitors in the Under-16 category to the seasoned athletes in the adult division, everyone contributed to this historic performance. Mubadala's sponsorship has been a key factor in this success, providing the resources needed for world-class training and competition. But ultimately, it's the athletes who step onto the mats and deliver when it counts. This championship run in Almaty will be remembered for years to come. And if the youth categories are any indication, there's plenty more success on the horizon for UAE jiu-jitsu.