The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), a proud member of The World Games family since 1994, once again showcased the beauty, philosophy, and competitive spirit of Ju-Jitsu on the global stage. Blending over 500 years of tradition with the highest standards of modern sport, Ju-Jitsu in Chengdu delivered an unforgettable display of skill, respect, and inclusivity.
At its core, Ju-Jitsu is built on the principle of yielding to an opponent’s force rather than resisting it, a philosophy that has inspired generations of martial artists. Known as “the gentle art” or “the flexible art,” Ju-Jitsu at The World Games featured three captivating disciplines:
- Duo: Teams of two demonstrated pre-arranged self-defence techniques against randomly called attacks, ranging from grips and strikes to armed assaults. This discipline also included categories for athletes with impairments, reinforcing that Ju-Jitsu is truly a sport for all.
- Fighting: A dynamic format combining strikes, throws, and submissions, requiring both tactical precision and athletic excellence.
- Jiu-Jitsu (Ne-Waza): A pure grappling contest where victory is determined through control, positional dominance, and submission. Widely known in the commercial sport world as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This edition of The World Games was celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and remarkable performances. The Duo Team and Duo Show events electrified the crowds, with Thailand producing a standout performance to claim multiple gold medals. Another defining moment was the Duo for Athletes with Impairments division, which highlighted courage, skill, and the unifying power of sport.
Thailand, the upcoming host of the 2025 World Championships this November, topped the table ahead of Israel and Germany. In total, athletes from 25 countries secured at least one of the 57 medals awarded, with 14 nations taking home gold.
Selected Results included:
Duo Show – Open Mixed: 1st Thailand, 2nd Austria, 3rd Montenegro
Duo Team – Open Mixed: 1st Thailand, 2nd Austria, 3rd Italy
Duo for Athletes with Impairments:
- Mental Impairment – Mixed: 1st Italy, 2nd Mongolia, 3rd Brazil
- Physical Impairment – Mixed: 1st China, 2nd Germany, 3rd Mexico
- Visual Impairment – Mixed: 1st Germany, 2nd China, 3rd Colombia
In Fighting and Ne-Waza divisions, champions emerged from across the world, with memorable victories from France, Korea, Kazakhstan, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and many more, underlining the truly international appeal of Ju-Jitsu.
Among the most celebrated athletes were Nimrod Ryeder (Israel), Faisal Alketbi (UAE), Bohdan Mochulskyi (Ukraine), Julia Paszkiewicz (Germany), Mirnesa and Mirneta Becirovic (Austria), Amal Amjahid (Belgium), Florian Bayili (Belgium), Nicole Sydboge (Denmark), and Antonio Da Costa (France). Each distinguished themselves with multiple medals and remarkable displays of sportsmanship.
JJIF President Panagiotis THEODOROPOULOS commented later stating: “Chengdu 2025 has once again proven that Ju-Jitsu is not only a sport of rich heritage but also a platform for unity, inclusion, and excellence. Our athletes, from all backgrounds and abilities, have shown that the values of respect, discipline, and friendship transcend borders. I am deeply proud of every competitor, coach, and official who made this event a celebration of our shared passion. The World Games are more than medals – they are a testament to the power of sport to bring the world together, and Ju-Jitsu will always stand at the heart of that mission.”
