Brazilian coach bowled over by UAE's passion for jiu-jitsu

For more than a decade, Emirati athletes have consistently outclassed their opponents to achieve podium finishes in jiu-jitsu at prestigious international events.

- Rituraj Borkakoty [e-mail]

Young Emiratis and expats train every morning across academies in the UAE.

A mixed martial arts form, jiu-jitsu’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down in the UAE, with scores of local youngsters training every morning across academies and schools.

Images of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi doing solo jiu-jitsu drills in the International Space Station (ISS) in 2023 went viral, showcasing the country’s passion for the combat sport.

As part of the ambitious projects launched by visionary leadership, the UAE has become a major player in the sport, hosting several high-class events with its athletes consistently bringing home medals.

Since jiu-jitsu made its Asian Games debut at Jakarta in 2018, the UAE has also put daylight between itself and other countries, winning 19 medals, including six gold, at two Asiads (in 2018 and 2022).

One of the key factors behind the meteoric rise of the UAE in jiu-jitsu is the tactical acumen of the Brazilian coaches.