Abdullah Nada wins jiu-jitsu gold at the Nagoya Asians 2026

Abdullah Nada, a Saudi team player, won the gold medal in the under-85 kg jiu-jitsu competition, at the 20th Asian Games “Nagoya 2026”, giving Saudi Arabia the second gold in jiu-jitsu and the third in the tournament.

Nada's coronation came after his brother Omar's gold medal in the under-94 kg competition, bringing the Saudi jiu-jitsu tally to five medals, two gold and three bronze.

Abdullah Nada's gold raised Saudi Arabia's tally in the tournament to 14 medals, placing it in twentieth place in the overall ranking table, with 3 gold medals, two silver medals, and 9 bronze medals.

Saudi medals were distributed among five sports, with jiu-jitsu topping the tally with five medals, two gold and three bronze, while equestrian won one gold, e-sports won a silver and two bronze, karate won a silver and two bronze, and athletics won two bronze.

Anas Orfali, President of the Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation, confirmed in his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that the outcome achieved by the players represents an honorable result, and he said: “We achieved five medals in the (Asiad), including two gold and three bronze, is an honorable matter, and our focus is on developing the Sunni groups and preparing for the upcoming competitions.”

For his part, Rakan Al-Fuhaid, Executive Director of the Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation, told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Jiu-Jitsu players did not fall short and achieved honorable achievements, and we always raise the bar of aspirations in order to make the players responsible, and the future will be better, God willing.”

Abdullah Nada revealed that his brother Omar’s gold medal provided an additional incentive for him before competing in his competitions. He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “My brother Omar’s winning of the gold medal in the under-94 kg weight made me more enthusiastic about winning, and he and I prepared for a whole year to compete in the Asia’s Championships.”

The Saudi national team is one step away from reaching the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup, “Gulf 27,” when it faces its Qatari counterpart, on Saturday, in an anticipated semi-final summit.

Donis faces a challenge related to the physical condition of his team, after playing 3 matches within a short period of time, in addition to the injuries that affected a number of his members. It was confirmed that Zakaria Hawsawi will be absent from the upcoming matches, while the technical staff awaits the final position of Hassan Timbukti.

On the other hand, mystery surrounds the participation of Akram Afif, one of the most prominent keys to the Qatari game, after Lopetegui revealed in the press conference that he was suffering from a health problem.

The player of the Saudi jiu-jitsu team, Omar Nada, entered the history of Saudi sports from its widest gates, when he presented it with the first gold in jiu-jitsu, by grabbing first place in the 94 kg competition, on Friday, in the jiu-jitsu competitions at the twentieth Asian Games, “Nagoya 2026.”