Around 4,000 competitors from 86 different countries will take to the mat in less than a week at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015 to battle for total prize money of Dh2 million.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the championship will welcome the most internationally diverse line-up of male and female players ever. A selection of leading members of the UAE team were revealed to the media by UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation in a press conference on Monday.

Abdul Munam Al Hashemi, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union and Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: "With just one week to go until six action-packed days of sport and entertainment, I would like to again thank our generous sponsors who have honoured the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation with their support, especially Sheikh Mohammed for his unlimited support for the sport of Jiu-Jitsu.”

"Today we mark another momentous occasion for the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation as we warmly welcome the greatest players in the world to Abu Dhabi and proudly announce the UAE representatives for the tournament. Demand from international participants has been higher than ever this year requiring us to add an additional day of competition in the Children's Cup. That youth tournament will open the wider championship with the main opening ceremony on the 23rd of April.”

"I would also like to encourage all fans and families to passionately support our UAE fighting heroes as they go into battle over six days of competition. I have a lot of confidence it will be a successful championship for the tournament after their great efforts in advanced training. All in all it's a competition which is not to be missed,” added Al Hashemi.

The event will highlight the importance of a healthy body on and off the mat, and will include a with special needs workshop with Ahmad Al Bloushi, Sarah Al Snani and Ziad Al Harathi on April 20, an anti-doping workshop with Dr Ahmad Al Hashimi on April 21 and health and creativity workshop with nutritionist Reem Youssef on April 22.
Source: WAM