UAE President light-heartedly offers flydubai hero Smit Machchhar jiu-jitsu lessons

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a light-hearted offer to teach jiu-jitsu to flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar during an award ceremony in Abu Dhabi, honouring the Indian pilot for his courageous actions.

Sheikh Mohamed warmly embraced him and joked, "When you heal, I want to have a session with you to train you how to fight," noting the UAE's prominent status in jiu-jitsu. Machchhar chuckled and replied that it would be his "biggest honour".

Machchhar's head injuries, including axe wounds and surgical stitches, were visible during the interaction for the first time, offering a glimpse into the severity of the attack. The assault had fractured his skull, with bone fragments pushed inward towards his brain tissue. He also sustained stab wounds, serious injuries to his hands and limbs, and wounds to his chest and upper abdomen.

Following the emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia on September 30, the pilot was rushed for several hours of surgery, during which medical teams reconstructed his fractured skull. After the initial procedures, he was shifted to a specialised medical facility in Abu Dhabi for advanced neurological monitoring and post-trauma treatment.

What is jiu-jitsu? 

Jiu-jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling, controlling an opponent and using techniques such as joint locks and chokeholds to make them surrender, rather than relying primarily on punches and kicks.

Often described as the 'gentle art', it emphasises technique, leverage, balance and timing to help a person defend themselves, even against a physically stronger opponent.

The martial art has Japanese origins, while Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) developed as a distinct form in Brazil. It has gained international popularity through martial arts competitions, self-defence training and mixed martial arts (MMA).

What does jiu-jitsu mean?

The term jiu-jitsu, also spelt ju-jutsu or jujutsu, comes from Japanese words. 'Ju' refers to gentleness or yielding, while 'jutsu' means art or technique. The name reflects its underlying principle of using an opponent's force, balance and movement to one's advantage instead of relying entirely on physical strength.