The ongoing Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship delivered another spectacular day of action on Wednesday with elite-level performances from some of the top athletes in the game. As the competitions for the Master division were held at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City over the course of two days, the UAE’s Commando Group asserted its dominance and powered to the top spot.
Athletes over the age of 30 put up a remarkable effort in the blue, purple, brown and black belt classes on Day 5 and Day 6 of the nine-day jiu-jitsu carnival, proving that their experience in the sport is a component that shows out. After two days of intense action, the Commando Group took the top spot while A.F.N.T finished in second place, followed by Kazakhstan National Team in third place.
Today’s competitions were attended by His Excellency Abdul Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, HE Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, HE Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General, General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi, HE Saeed Al Fazari, Executive Director for Support Services Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi, HE Matar Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAEJJF.
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAEJJF, congratulated the athletes who took out remarkable performances in the Masters division.
“Six days into the launch of the championship, the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is winning accolades from various quarters from across the world. We are humbled by the appreciation we are receiving. It inspires us to continue our efforts to take the sport to greater heights,” he said.
Al Shamsi noted that it has been nearly impossible to spot vacant seats in the stands since the championship began and urged the fans to turn up in big numbers during the competitions for the Professionals division starting tomorrow.
‘Not a small feat’
HE Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General, General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi, expressed his happiness with the professional competitive atmosphere he witnessed in the 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
“We should appreciate everyone who contributed to the organisation of this prestigious competition. This is not a small feat; it shows the sound vision of the wise leadership of the UAE. Personally, I’m excited to be here and take part in presenting medals to winners of the Masters division,” he said.
“The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is an excellent place for individuals who are interested in sports, especially jiu-jitsu, to get to know one another and to mix cultures, traditions, and customs and serves as a platform for friendship and tolerance,” he added.
Saudi athlete Muhammad Al Yami, who travelled all the way from the US to compete in the ADWPJJC, won gold in the Men’s Blue Master 2 (62 kg) division. “The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was a chance I couldn’t pass up. Many of my family members and friends came to watch me fight and cheered me on. My gold medal achievement came as a happy surprise for them,” he said.
Cinthya De Paula Oliveira from Brazil, who competed for Icon Jiu-Jitsu Team – International club, captured gold in the blue belt Master 1 (70kg) division. She said has been looking forward to this moment.
“Honestly speaking, Brazilian athletes like the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Everybody was counting on this championship. It’s wonderful that I was able to win the medal, but more than that, it’s a great event where we can reconnect with old friends and make new ones in the jiu-jitsu community,” she added.
Valmyr Neto from United Kingdom’s Checkmat International club, who scooped gold in men’s Black Master 2 (62kg) division, expressed happiness on grabbing the medal.
He said: “The UAE, especially Abu Dhabi, is the land of real opportunities. All you need to do is prepare, show courage, and perform. If you do these three, you will get the desired outcomes. The tournament is fantastic in every way, and I want to return the next year.”
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