Kurdish athlete Farshad Girdkaneh, a Kurdish resident of Belgium, has won first place in the 94-kilogram category at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championship held in Abu Dhabi, one of Europe’s most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.
Girdkaneh proudly displayed the flag of Kurdistan printed on his competition shirt as he stood on the podium, dedicating his victory to the families of Kurdish martyrs and to the cities of Kirkuk, Afrin, and Urmia.
He expressed pride in achieving the title and highlighted the cultural significance of his win for the Kurdish community, emphasizing that these cities are Kurdish and will always remain part of Kurdistan.
Originally from Urmia in Eastern Kurdistan (Iran), girdkaneh has lived for several years in Brussels, Belgium. He began his athletic journey in wrestling, where he was highly successful, and later transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after moving to Europe. His wrestling background helped him adapt quickly to jiu-jitsu, a sport that combines elements of wrestling and judo, allowing him to progress rapidly and excel internationally.
Girdkaneh’s triumph in Abu Dhabi marks a significant achievement for Kurdish athletes globally, symbolizing both sporting excellence and cultural pride.
