UAE's Commando Unit Claims Victory at Abu Dhabi's Global Grappling Tournament
The Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025, held at the ADNEC Centre Al-Ain, concluded on Sunday after three days of intense competition. The event, organised by International Vision Sports Management in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, fell under the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro umbrella.
The championship attracted over 1,000 athletes from more than 60 countries, making it a truly global event. The professional category saw some exciting matches, with notable winners including Pouya Rahmani, who clinched the gold in the Men's Grappling / 18+ / Professionals / 125kg division. Nikolay Vetrov also shone brightly, securing the 75kg division by submission in the finals.
The UAE's Commando Group emerged as champions in the professional category, followed by ADMA International in second place and M.O.D UAE in third. Algeria topped the team standings, with a perfect score, followed by Tunisia in second place.
Sheikh Tarik bin Faisal Al-Qassimi, Saeed Al-Dhaheri, and Tareq Al-Bahri were in attendance on the final day and participated in the awards ceremony. Al-Bahri expressed his satisfaction with the organisation of the event, highlighting the participation of top-tier international athletes. He also thanked all supporting partners and spectators for their role in the event's success.
Pouya Rahmani, the gold medalist in the 125kg division, expressed his happiness at winning his first world title in grappling as a black belt. His final match was against Haitham Redha, whom he had previously lost to.
The Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 featured competitions across professional, masters, amateur, and youth categories. The event's success and international participation suggest that it is positioned to become an ongoing, high-level annual event, continuing to foster global grappling talent in the region. Al-Bahri promised to continue delivering high-quality grappling championships and discover new talent.
Furthermore, Al-Bahri aims to establish Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain as global destinations for world-class sporting events and increase interest in grappling. The championship's success is a testament to Abu Dhabi's commitment to promoting sports and fostering a vibrant sports culture.
- The championship's success and the participation of athletes from around the world signify Abu Dhabi's growing influence in the global sports scene, particularly in the realm of mixed-martial-arts like grappling.
- Aside from grappling, Al-Bahri aspires to make Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain renowned for hosting a variety of world-class sporting events, thereby promoting a diverse sports culture in the region.
- While Pouya Rahmani's gold medal victory in the Men's Grappling / 18+ / Professionals / 125kg division marked a significant achievement in his career, it also underscored the development of artful combat skills showcased during the tournament.
- The Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 was more than just a sporting event, as it demonstrated how sport, art, and culture could be seamlessly blended in a combined celebration, offering an exciting mix of entertainment and education.
