The Abu Dhabi Beach Wrestling Championship, organized by the UAE Wrestling Federation, concluded on April 12 and 13 on Abu Dhabi Beach. The tournament saw widespread participation from all age groups and a large audience that watched the fights from the stands overlooking the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

The first day of the championship was dedicated to the under-17 category, which witnessed promising technical levels that reflected the development of the country’s youth base. The second day was dedicated to the men’s category, which was held for the first time in a beach wrestling championship in the country, a qualitative step aimed at enhancing the level of competition and expanding community participation.

The championship was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Federation, along with several members of the Federation’s Board of Directors, including His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, Dr. Ziad Saleh, Saif Al Rashidi, Sultan Al Ketbi, CEO and Board Member of the Federation, Yasser Al Qubaisi, Director of the Sports Development Department, and Nasser Khamis Al Marri, Director of the Olympic Clubs Department at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

This edition is the second beach championship organized by the UAE Wrestling Federation, after the first edition was held in Khorfakkan. However, this edition was distinguished by the inclusion of men’s competitions for the first time, as part of the Federation’s strategy to expand participation and add new dimensions to the concept of beach championships that combine sporting competition with social openness.

In terms of results, Russia topped the overall ranking of participating teams, following a strong performance in all categories. The UAE came in second, and Syria came in third. At the academies level, the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club came in first, followed by the Fujairah Martial Arts Club in second place, and the Kuma Tiyama Academy in third place, reflecting the advanced level of local clubs in developing talent and honing their skills.

Yasser Al Qubaisi, Director of the Sports Development Department at the UAE Wrestling Federation, emphasized that the championship is part of a comprehensive plan to develop wrestling and spread it across the country. He said:

“We are proud of the tournament’s high-quality participation and the great interaction from the public and players. The inclusion of the men’s category this year represents a qualitative shift in the history of beach championships and demonstrates the Federation’s readiness to introduce innovative initiatives that enhance the status of wrestling and reach wider segments of society.”

He added: “We will continue to organize more events during the current season, based on our belief in the role of sports in developing individuals and communities, and in line with the Federation’s vision for each championship to be an open space for all groups, both citizens and residents, to engage in a challenging and ambitious sporting experience. These championships also represent an ideal platform for discovering talent and guiding them toward professional careers.”

Al Qubaisi also explained that the championship aligns with the general trends of society, as participation was not limited to one category, but included individuals of various nationalities and ages, enhancing the collective spirit and making sports a means of building bridges between different cultures in the UAE.

He pointed out that the Wrestling Federation works within an integrated system to expand the base of practitioners through cooperation with clubs, academies, and local sports entities. He emphasized that upcoming events will have a broader developmental approach, including training programs, qualifying forums, and specialized championships serving practitioners, amateurs, and juniors.

The championship is one of the important milestones in the UAE Wrestling Federation’s new sports season calendar, contributing to consolidating the country’s position as a regional sports hub for organizing quality events. It reflects the Federation’s ability to combine competitive and community aspects in its various championships.