The Jiu-Jitsu Championship, hosted by the Near East Sports Tower, brought together over 100 athletes from 17 countries in Nicosia. Athletes competed in over 30 categories in both Gi and No-Gi disciplines. The high level of interest in the tournament signaled its potential to become a tradition.
The Jiu-Jitsu Championship, organized by the Near East Sports Tower, was a significant international event with the participation of athletes from 17 countries. The championship, notable for its high level of competition and high participation, provided exciting moments for both athletes and spectators.
The championship, held at the RA25 Sports Hall under the auspices of the Near East Sports Tower, included athletes from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Iran, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The championship, which featured over 100 athletes aged 8 to 50, once again made the campus of Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, a significant center for regional and global sporting events.
Medals Awarded in Over 30 Categories
The all-day championship began with the weigh-in process. Athletes competed in over 30 categories in Gi and No-Gi disciplines, across different age groups (children, youth, and adults), based on age, weight, and belt criteria. Matches in the adult category lasted 5 minutes, while matches in the children and youth categories lasted 3 minutes. The competitions were conducted according to the rules of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
World and European Champion Serves as Head Referee
Another element that strengthened the international standards of the organization was the refereeing team. Diogo Moraes Azevedo, the head coach of Near East Sports Tower Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, who holds world and European championships, served as the head referee at the championship, while Vitor Storck served as his assistant.
An International Standard Sports Festival
The Near East Sports Tower Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which stood out with its high level of participation, technical quality of combat, and professional organization, once again reinforced its position as an important meeting point in the field of martial arts with its international tournament identity. The Near East Sports Tower Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team attracted attention with its achievements. The host club’s athletes finished the tournament with 7 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal, leaving their mark on the organization.
Diogo Moraes Azevedo: “The intense interest we witnessed also showed that the Near East Sports Tower Jiu-Jitsu Championship should become a tradition.”
Diogo Moraes Azevedo, Head Coach of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Near East Sports Tower, emphasized that the Near East Sports Tower Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held for the first time with the participation of athletes from 17 countries, has already become a strong international sporting event. He said, “The level of competition reflected on the mat, the technical skills of the athletes, and their understanding of fair play clearly demonstrate the solid foundation upon which the organization is built.” Hinting at similar organizations in future, Azevedo added, “The intense interest we witnessed shows that the Near East Sports Tower Jiu-Jitsu Championship should become a tradition.”
He also noted that such international events allow athletes to learn about different styles, gain experience, and improve themselves. “This atmosphere is extremely beneficial, especially for young athletes. As Near East Sports Tower, our goal is to provide all athletes with a world-class development environment and prepare them for the international arena in the best possible way.”
