The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC) is fast approaching, with athletes from across the globe already starting to descend on the UAE capital. Ahead of the largest and most prestigious event on the international jiu-jitsu calendar, visiting players have expressed their anticipation of taking to the mats in what is widely considered the global capital of the sport.
The 14th edition of the competition, which is set to attract as many as 5,000 players from more than 100 countries, runs from November 11-19 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City, with world champions taking to the mats in Youth, Professional, and Masters categories. A special Festival Jiu-Jitsu Championship for children and Abu Dhabi World Para Jiu-Jitsu Championship are planned for the opening day of the nine-day event.
“We began planning for ADWPJJC the day after last year’s event concluded and I am proud to say Abu Dhabi is ready to welcome world champions to the capital and allow them to showcase their skills in a setting unrivalled anywhere in the world,” said HE Youssef Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
The athletes have shown their enthusiasm for the upcoming competition and praised the training facilities at their disposal here in the UAE. Brazilian Luccas Lira Costa relocated to the UAE in March to help his preparations for the 14th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship under the Baniyas Club.
“One of my best memories in Abu Dhabi was competing in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships last year,” said Costa a member of Fight Sports club in Miami. “I competed in the purple belt division and fortunately was able to bring the medal home. Participating in the World Pro is a completely novel experience. It’s different; a big stage. I worked really hard for it, so it was great to get the win.
“For me, it was like a dream coming true. I still find it hard to believe I’m a part of it. I want to take part in it every year because it’s a tournament where we put ourselves in a very good spot. Being present and taking part in this event is a privilege. I can’t wait for it to come around again.”
Meanwhile, Ingridd Alves Sousa, a black-belt Brazilian athlete, is coming back in the UAE to defend her title. “Being a World Pro champion was a unique feeling for which I am still at a loss for words,” she said. “Everything I experienced up until that point was like a movie playing in my head. This November, I will be there to defend my title in the 70kg division and I am counting on the local support.”
Jonas Andrade, another Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion based in Spain, said he has a lot of memories associated with the championship. “The Abu Dhabi world Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship means a lot of things to me,” said Andrade, a jiu-jitsu black belt associated with Cicero Costha club in Brazil. “It was the first event I competed in outside Brazil. I’ve participated in the black, brown, purple twice, and blue divisions in the previous editions of the championship. It’s a great event. I am training every day with the help of my coach. The competition is among the best in the world, so I strongly encourage everyone to participate.”
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