Introduction:
Body composition and physical performance are key determinants of success in combat sports such as jiu-jitsu. Understanding how these variables interact can provide valuable insights for performance optimization among Emirati athletes.

Aim of the study:
This study aimed to assess the anthropometric characteristics and physical performance metrics of Emirati male jiu-jitsu athletes and to examine the correlations between body composition and performance indicators.

Material and methods:
Twenty male jiu-jitsu athletes (mean age = 17.3 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Assessments included body composition (body fat percentage (%BF), lean body mass (LBM), BMI) and physical performance tests for strength, endurance, and power. Key tests comprised the 5- and 10-meter sprint, multistage 20-meter shuttle run test, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 1RM power clean, back squat, and bench press. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between anthropometric and performance variables.

Results:
Athletes showed a mean %BF of 17.09%, fatfree mass of 57.52 kg, and BMI of 24.42. Performance measures included a mean 5-meter sprint time of 0.92 s, a 10-meter sprint time of 1.83 s, an estimated VO2 max from the multistage 20-meter shuttle run test of 47.81 mL • kg–1 • min–1, and a CMJ height of 33.31 cm (SJ: 30.21 cm). Fat-free mass demonstrated significant positive correlations with strength and jump-derived power, particularly in power clean, back squat, and bench press. Sprint performance showed weak associations with body composition, whereas estimated VO2 max showed small-to-moderate associations with BMI and %BF.

Conclusions:
The results suggest that Emirati jiu-jitsu athletes possess well-developed aerobic capacity and a solid physical foundation, though their strength and power levels remain slightly below elite standards. These findings establish reference values for training optimization and future research in jiu-jitsu performance in the UAE.