The United Arab Emirates topped the medal standings at the JJIF World Championships in Ulaanbaatar for the fourth successive editions ©Action UAE

A total of four gold medals were won by the United Arab Emirates on the final day to solidify their place at the top of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) World Championships standings in Ulaanbaatar.

Hamda Alshekeili, Shamma Al Kalbani, Theyab Al Nuaimi and Mahdi AlAwlaki all tasted success in Mongolia's capital as the UAE sealed top spot in the medal table for the fourth successive edition of the Championships.

There were also victories for Balqees Al Hashemi, Faisal Al Ketbi, Khaled Al Shehhi and Hazza Farhan in the three-day tournament as the UAE finished with eight golds, four silvers and two bronze medals.

"The Championship witnessed numerous achievements, especially the emergence of many talents who performed exceptionally well," said Asian Ju-Jitsu Union President Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, also head of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

"It was also evident in the remarkable prowess of the Emirati girls, once again demonstrating that with adequate support and opportunities, they can excel and astonish in various fields, including sports.

"I admire and consider Balqees Abdullah, Shamma Al Kalbani, and Hamda Alshekeili as role models for all Emirati girls aspiring to challenge, excel, and prove themselves."

Hamda Alshekeili, left, won the first of the UAE's four gold medals on the final with victory over France's Laetitia Boes, right, in the women’s under-48kg final ©Action UAE
Hamda Alshekeili, left, won the first of the UAE's four gold medals on the final with victory over France's Laetitia Boes, right, in the women’s under-48kg final ©Action UAE

The UAE started the World Championships in style on Tuesday (July 18) with four medals, including two golds.

The first of those came from Al Hashemi, who sealed the women’s under-45 kilogram title courtesy of her victory over Kimberly Anne Custodio of the Philippines.

They grabbed their second gold when Al Ketbi overcame Israel’s Roy Dagan to capture the men’s under-94kg crown.

Saeed Al Kubaisi had the chance to win a third title for the UAE on the opening day only to lose to Portugal’s Pedro Ramalho in the men’s under-85kg final.

Cyprus topped the podium when Eleftheria Christodoulou beat Germany’s Denise Krahn in the women’s under-70kg gold-medal match.

Germany also came up short in the women’s over-70kg category as Anja Guercke finished runner-up to Croatia’s Nadina Biljanovic.

The UAE celebrated more success on day two, securing two golds.

Al Shehhi clinched men’s under-62kg gold with victory over Colombia’s Alejandro Viviescas in the final.

The other UAE gold was won by Farhan who defeated Germany’s Alexander Sak in the men’s over-94kg final.

Theyab Al Nuaimi, left, defeated Omar Al Suwaidi, right, for men's under-56kg gold in an all-Emirati final ©Action UAE
Theyab Al Nuaimi, left, defeated Omar Al Suwaidi, right, for men's under-56kg gold in an all-Emirati final ©Action UAE

Gairbeg Ibragimov beat Vladislav Losev in an all-Russian men’s under-69kg gold-medal match

The two fighters were competing under the neutral flag due to sanctions imposed on the Russian athletes by the JJIF in response to the war in Ukraine.

Ju Im-eon of South Korea and Felicia Marceau captured the respective women’s under-52kg and women’s under-57kg titles, respectively.

The final day started with the first of four gold medals for the UAE as Alshekeili defeated France’s Laetitia Boes in the women’s under-48kg final.

Al Kalbani then emerged victorious from the women’s under-63kg category, beating South Korea’s Ra Sung-ki in the gold-medal bout.

The World Championships ended with two all-Emirati finals as Al Nuaimi overcame Omar Al Suwaidi for men’s under-56kg gold before Mahdi AlAwlaki defeated his brother Faraj Al Awlaki to seal the men’s under-77kg title.