Omani brothers Abdullah al Farsi and Mohammed al Farsi have now emerged as a dual force to reckon with. ‘Jiu-Jitsu has taken a huge portion of our lives over the last 15 years,’ they say, attributing all their achievements as an attempt to elevate Oman’s image worldwide

Abdullah bin Khamis al Farsi and his brother Mohammed, hailing from the wilayat of Sur, in South Sharqiyah, have become shining examples of excellence in Jiu-Jitsu, amassing over 160 medals in recent years.

The impressive accomplishments of the duo not only showcase their talent and hard work but also serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across Oman.

While Abdullah secured a gold medal in the under-62kg weight class (professional black belt) at the Khalid bin Mohammed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held in the United Arab Emirates from October-10 to 13, 2024, his brother, Mohammed, also claimed gold in the under 69kg weight class (professional purple belt) during the same event. Additionally, the brothers won two medals at the AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship from August 30 to September 1.

These achievements are particularly significant following the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth’s decision in July to establish a dedicated sports committee for martial arts and self-defence sports.

In an exclusive interview with Muscat Daily, Abdullah shared insights about the championship, which featured an intense competition among 550 males and female athletes from various clubs and academies. He described their journey to the finals as one requiring immense concentration and unwavering determination. To prepare themselves, the brothers underwent rigourous training, dedicating five hours daily to refine their skills.

“Jiu-Jitsu has taken a huge portion of our lives over the last 15 years,” they chorus. “The time we’ve dedicated ourselves to training with great discipline, commitment, and hard work, and it has truly been worth it.”

Abdullah emphasised that this achievement is not just personal. “It’s teamwork. I’ve had the privilege of training with the best coaches and being part of great teams. This is a collective success,” he explained.

The ‘gentle way’

“Jiu-Jitsu is built on a key philosophy – the use of mental strength to gain an advantage over opponents,” he added. However, he acknowledged that such accomplishments come with responsibilities. He aims to play a larger role in training young athletes, conducting workshops, and promoting the sport across the sultanate.

Farsi noted that Jiu-Jitsu has now gained popularity within the martial arts community. Its philosophy is based on two pillars – using mental strength to gain an advantage and employing unarmed combat to improve fitness, flexibility, self-discipline, focus, and composure. This discipline aids in setting and achieving goals.

“Jiu-Jitsu shares its roots with other martial arts, believed to have originated in India. Buddhist monks refined its techniques, focusing on balance and strength while limiting the use of weapons,” Farsi explained. “It later spread to China and Japan, where it gained significant popularity. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu techniques, known as ‘The Gentle Way,’ emphasise justice, serenity, honour, self-confidence, and respect.”

The brothers also discussed the challenges they faced, including the financial burden associated with the sport. Their path to the finals required immense focus and determination, as they committed to five hours of training each day, they said.

Currently, Oman has eight Jiu-Jitsu academies, with many athletes, some of whom are now professionally involved in the sport. Abdullah stated that their success brings a great responsibility, including the training of young talent and the promotion of Jiu-Jitsu throughout the sultanate. He encouraged Omani youth to take up the sport, believing in their potential to achieve greatness.

The brothers expressed a strong desire to continue representing Oman in international tournaments and to carry the Omani flag onto global arenas.