From the UAE to the world: check out the Emirati highlights from 2024

January 23, 2025

Home to Abu Dhabi, also known as "the Jiu-Jitsu capital of the world", the United Arab Emirates has a long and rich history with the gentle art, making efforts at a national and international level to help the sport reach its full potential with professionalism and excellence. With such commitment, it is no wonder that the UAE keeps producing talented athletes at all levels of competition, each claiming its stake in the international scene in 2024.

One such example is Khaled Al Shehhi. A 21-year-old black belt representing Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, the Emirati has used his talent and strategy to become one of the most fearsome names in his weight division, and 2024 comes as his best competitive year yet. In addition to conquering the coveted ADGS gold in Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, and Moscow, Khaled had his skills on full display in the ADXC cage, first by overcoming his AJP rival Leonardo Mario in the ADXC 4, and then by taking down the Brazilian powerhouse Thalison Soares in the ADXC 8.

Another powerful athlete who rose to prominence last year was Omar Al Suwaidi. Fighting under the Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy banner at 21 years of age, the athlete received his black belt promotion at the ADWPJJC 2023 podium, after taking the gold medal at the tournament, and then went on to shake up the international scene with it on the following year. After conquering his first black belt gold in the ADGS Tokyo, Omar tasted victory once again in the ADXC 5, became the first Emirati competitor to take the gold in the ADGS Rio de Janeiro as a Professional, and then followed that by landing himself atop the ADGS Moscow podium.

In the colored belts, Shamma Al Kalbani was on a roll in 2024. A purple belt fighting under ADMA International, the 21-year-old Shamma might not be at the top of the competitive food chain just yet, but she definitely has her fair share of experience as she frequently competes around the world with AJP. With an impressive number of accolades to her name in the organization, Shamma emerged from last year with titles conquered in the ADGS Istanbul and Asia Continental by submitting almost all of her opponents, in addition to becoming the very first Emirati woman to attain a two-win streak in the ADXC.

Speaking of powerful women, the name Asma Alhosani was also one to keep an eye out for in 2024. Earning her brown belt after a golden campaign in the ADWPJJC 2023, Asma hit the mats the following year hungry to show just how talented she is, taking the gold in the ADGS Istanbul after besting the American powerhouse Alexa Yanes, taking the silver medal after a great campaign in the ADWPJJC 2024, and facing some of the toughest names in her weight division.

Professionals and Masters aside, the Youth category also had an incredible run in 2024. Cue Saeed Alnuaimi, a 17-year-old blue belt representing Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club who took his career to the next level last year, first by taking the gold medal in both the ADGS Abu Dhabi and the Asia Continental, and then by traveling to Brazil to compete in the ADXC 7, emerging victorious from the organization's cage by locking a tight triangle choke on the local Matheus Avelino.

Another promising Youth who had her skills on full display last year is Alanoud Alharbi. At 17 years of age and recently promoted to purple belt, the Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club athlete comes from a flawless campaign as a blue belt. Undefeated in 2024, Alanoud went through the AJP calendar like a freight train, conquering gold medals in major tournaments like the ADGS Abu Dhabi, Asia Continental, and ADWPJJC, all while submitting every single opponent that crossed her path.

Also bringing the UAE Jiu-Jitsu to the world in 2024, Zayed Alkatheeri took his skillset to Brazil and defeated the local Oziel Santos in the ADXC 3; Mohammed Al Suwaidi showcased his talent as he conquered the 69kg gold at the ADGS Moscow; and Haitham Hanawi fought as both a Master and a Professional to seize the double gold at the ADGS Xi'An.

With 2024 in the rearview mirror, the Emirati warriors now gear up to amaze fight fans yet again, putting their skills to the test against the sport's best and brightest as they represent the Jiu-Jitsu capital of the world across the globe. Follow @ajptour and @adxcofficial on social media to know where they'll be competing, and go to TX7.com to watch every second of their previous and upcoming battles.