Israel continued its strong performance at the Cadet and Junior World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi by securing four additional medals in the No-Gi event, culminating in a second-place finish in the overall medal rankings. The competition took place recently, showcasing some of the top young talent in the sport.
Leading the Israeli delegation was Guy Torres, who won the Under-18 world championship title in the under-62 kg weight category. His teammate Tamir Naim also earned a bronze medal in the same division, marking a significant achievement in one of the tournament’s most competitive classes. Further podium finishes came from Shalev Snir, who captured silver in the under-56 kg division, and Eden Gamliel, who took second place in the Under-18 under-69 kg category.
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling discipline where competitors wear tight-fitting athletic gear such as rash guards and board shorts instead of traditional gi uniforms. This variation emphasizes speed and body control over fabric grips, with a focus on techniques like underhooks and leg locks.
In addition to the medals that counted toward the official championship standings, the Israeli team also earned several other awards that did not qualify for the points table but provided memorable moments and multiple occasions to hear Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah,” during the event.
These latest successes followed previous world titles secured by Noa Agassi and Lia Shalev in the gi competition, contributing to a total of 13 medals—including four golds—for Israel’s cadet and junior squad at the championships.
Throughout the competition, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Yossi Shelley, was present to support the team, attending matches and award ceremonies and presenting medals to Israeli winners. His involvement underscored the significance of the event and the close cooperation between Israel and the host country.
Erez Elrv, president of the Israel Jiu-Jitsu Association, praised the team’s performance and the coaching staff’s efforts. “We concluded the Cadet and Junior No-Gi World Championships with another day full of success for Team Israel,” Elrv said, acknowledging the ambassador’s support as well.
Arik Kaplan, head of the Ayelet Association, which oversees Israel’s non-Olympic sports, highlighted the skill and dedication of the Israeli athletes. “Guy, Tamir, Eden and Shalev competed against some of the world’s best athletes and displayed outstanding skill, determination and character,” Kaplan said. He emphasized that the team’s overall medal count and second-place standing reflect the growing strength of Israel’s emerging generation of jiu-jitsu competitors.