A 13-year-old Afghan athlete, Sofia Sarwari, has won a silver medal at the 2026 Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship, finishing second in the girls’ 44-kilogram GI division.
Sarwari secured the runner-up position after reaching the final with a dominant 7-0 victory over Kazakhstan’s Yasmina Yelyubayeva. She then faced Brazil’s Kathriny Mota Varto in the gold-medal match, which ended in a tense 1-1 draw. The judges awarded the victory to the Brazilian competitor on points, leaving Sarwari with the silver medal.
Four athletes competed in the weight category. Mota Varto of Brazil took first place, Sarwari finished second, Yelyubayeva secured third, and Brazil’s Laura Silva placed fourth. According to the competition results provided, three of the four athletes were 13 years old, while Silva was 12.
The championship’s youth competition is being held from November 11 to 13 at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, according to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The event brings together young athletes competing across different age groups, weight categories, and disciplines, showcasing emerging talent from around the world.
The Abu Dhabi championship is part of a wider series of international jiu-jitsu competitions scheduled in the UAE this month. The programme includes youth, amateur, masters, professional, and para-jiu-jitsu events, reflecting the sport’s growing global footprint and the UAE’s role as a hub for combat sports.
Sarwari’s result adds to Afghanistan’s representation in international martial arts competitions, where athletes continue to compete despite limited sporting opportunities and resources at home. Her achievement is particularly notable given the challenges facing young athletes, especially girls, in Afghanistan, where access to organized sports training and international competition remains severely restricted.
Her silver medal marks a significant achievement for the young Afghan competitor on an international stage, and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in her home country and beyond.
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