The Pakistan national jiu-jitsu team has departed for Amman, Jordan, to compete in the prestigious 9th Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025, which will run from May 23 to 26. This major continental event will see top athletes from across Asia vying for medals in both Adult and Under-21 categories.
According to the Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation (PJJF), the national squad includes Isra Waseem, Kainat Arif, Bano Butt, M. Ali Rashid, and Abdullah in the Adult category, while M. Yousuf Ali and Umar Yaseen will represent Pakistan in the U21 division. The team is accompanied by official referees Dalawar Khan Sannan and Abu Hurrara, with Tariq Ali, General Secretary of the Federation, leading the delegation and representing Pakistan at the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union General Assembly.
The Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship is one of the continent’s most competitive events, attracting powerhouse teams such as the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and Thailand. The UAE, in particular, is aiming to maintain its dominance, having a strong track record in recent years.
Pakistan’s jiu-jitsu athletes have shown promise in previous editions. At the 2024 Asian Championship in Bangkok, M. Yousuf Ali and Umar Yaseen were crowned champions in the U18 Duo Men category, while Isra Waseem and Kainat Arif secured bronze medals in both the Duo Women and Show Women events.
The 2024 championship saw a competitive field, with the UAE and the Philippines among the top medal winners. Annie Ramirez of the Philippines, for example, clinched gold in the women’s -57kg category at the last Asian Games and is expected to be a key contender again this year.