Press & Media
BAHRAIN MINISTER of Youth and Sports Aymen Almoayed yesterday inaugurated the Elements Jiu Jitsu Academy, a specialised jiu jitsu centre, in Tubli.
Bahrain Youth and Sports Minister Ayman bin Tawfiq Almoayyed opened has opened the Elements Jiu Jitsu Academy.
Elements Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Elements JJ) opens its doors in the presence of the BAHRAIN Minister of Youth and Sports.
Ali Monfaradi, the youngest Bahraini black belt in history speaks to BTW on one of the fastest growing sports in the world, jiu-jitsu.
BAHRAIN’S Ali Monfaradi made history last night in London winning a bronze medal in the black belt adult (69kg) category of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – London which is part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour.
The world of sports and martial arts is one that’s growing in Bahrain, and if you think back to about a decade or two ago, Jiu Jitsu as a martial art wasn’t on the map as prominently as it is today. There’s a huge JJ community that has developed in Bahrain over the years, and you can basically find it all in this one academy of great coaches and trainers.
Ali Monfaradi, a black belt holder from Bahrain, will compete in the 69-kg category. Saying that he was “humbled” to represent his country in such a prestigious tournament, Monfaradi told the organisers: “Just qualifying for the ADWPJJC in my category is a very humbling feeling. My category has traditionally been dominated by South American athletes and has been quite a difficult one to crack on the global level. I have been training extremely hard to ensure that I put on a strong performance and do Bahrain and myself proud.”
Ali Monfaradi has become the first Bahraini athlete to win a medal at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2021.
Monfaradi bagged a silver medal in the competitive adults black belt category, making him the top-ranked jiu-jitsu athlete in Asia, according to the UAEJJF’s annual list – a first ever feat for any Middle Eastern professional athlete.
Meanwhile, Monfaradi’s team, Bahrain-based Elements Jiu-Jitsu Academy, also bagged three medals in the Abu Dhabi event, including two gold and a silver. Seena Monfaradi and Hisham Noor bagged gold medals in their weight categories, while Vadzim Pukhau took home the silver.
Monfaradi strikes gold at Asian Championship
Bahrain jiu-jitsu star Ali Monfaradi struck gold in the men’s under-77kg category at the eighth Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship, currently being held at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
Monfaradi clinched his title on the opening day of the competition after defeating Olzhas Nurtakanov of Kazakhstan in the final of his weight class.
Sharing the third podium step with a bronze medal apiece were Won Bin Lee of South Korea and Seiilkhan Bolatbek, also of Kazakhstan.
“This is my sixth Asian gold medal, and what a journey it’s been,” said Monfaradi on social media.
“Thank you to every single person who helped me get here. Onwards and upwards.”
Monfaradi is one of eight Bahraini athletes participating in the continental event.