Last year Abu Dhabi’s UAEJJ Federation (Which organizes the World Pro) teamed up with The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF which is the internationally recognized federation for sports Ju Jitsu) in the goal to work towards bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the Olympic games.

The UAEJJ and JJIF then laid out an action plan with a goal to push the drive towards the ultimate dream of including Jiu-Jitsu in the Summer Olympic Games, starting with Asia and the Asian Games. Source: Alittihad.ae.

After a successful debut at the fourth Asian Beach Games, Jiu-Jitsu has also been included in the inaugural World Beach Games in 2017. Now it has gone a huge step forward by being included in the 2018 Asian Games, in Bali, Indonesia.

The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and are described as the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.

MMA/BJJ journalist Mohammed Al Hosani from UAE anounced the historic deal on his Facebook:

Thanks to the UAE, Jiu-Jitsu will be contested at the next Asian Games (ASIAD) in Jakarta, Indonesia 2018. That’s the closest you will get before getting into the Olympics my friends. Congrats to all the Jiu-Jitsu community

Who is responsible for the rapid growth of Jiu-Jitsu? Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi has formed a solid alliance with the Ju Jitsu International Federation and the IOC.

Sheikh Ahmed Al Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), made an announcement late last year on thenational.ae

“Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces has been behind the development of the sport, not only in the UAE but in Asia”.

Panagiotis Theodoropoulos, president of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation, said that the JJIF was working closely with the regional unions to create common programs to develop jiu-jitsu in all countries.

The Olympic dream for Jiu-Jitsu seems like a real possibility now…