Excitement filled the Jiu-Jitsu Arena as Purple, Brown and Black belt champions took to the mat on the eighth day of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Elite jiu-jitsu players showed off their talents and techniques in front of hundreds of jiu-jitsu fans who flocked to the Arena from all over the world.
Following the final competitions for purple and brown belt categories, the UAE’s Commando Group occupies the top place in the standings followed by Brazilian Gfteam in second place and PSLPB Cicero Costha (Brazil) in third. Tomorrow’s black belt finals in the UAE’s capital will be the centre of attention for the jiu-jitsu world, and those will be followed by the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards. The UAE’s Zayed Al Kathiri and Omar Al Fadhli have booked their spot in the Black Belt finals on Saturday.
Today’s competitions were attended by HE Abdul Moniem Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Ju-Jitsu 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 Jose Aguero Avila, Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay, Fabricio Satiro Oliveira, Mayor of Balneário Camboriú city in Brazil, Saed Hijazi Salameh, General Manager Sales Jaguar Land Rover at Premier Motors and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAEJJF.
HE Mohamed Bin Dalmouk Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, noted that there were some strong fights, especially from the Emirati champions, on Friday
“I congratulate Zayed Al Kathiri and Omar Al Fadhli on reaching the black belt finals. They are one victory away from making history and accomplishing a feat never achieved. I also request their devoted fans to support them wholeheartedly in tomorrow’s fight,” he said.
Al Dhaheri emphasised that the players’ outstanding performance in today’s matches demonstrated the UAEJJF’s successful strategy, which included providing all the resources necessary for them to hone their skills.
The Brazilian athletes who gave outstanding performances got a boost as Fabricio Satiro Oliveira, the mayor of the Brazilian city of Balneário Cambori, paid a visit to the Arena to show his support for the competitors.
“The level of competition, excellence I have seen here and Abu Dhabi’s dedication to jiu-jitsu development are all inspiring.” he said.
He added that he plans to construct a training center in his city that he said ‘will help them hold tournaments with the qualities he has experienced in Abu Dhabi and will impact lives.’
Long term partnership
Saed Hijazi Salameh, General Manager Sales, Jaguar Land Rover at Premier Motors, expressed his happiness at the success of the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and said Premier Motors will be one of the Federation’s most important supporters for a very long time.
“We congratulate the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation on the championship’s success and are proud to have played a part in the event which is getting bigger and better every year. At Premier Motors, we encourage the jiu-jitsu initiative as it is a sport that instills moral and ethical values in society,” he said.
Summarising the impact of the Championship, Mr. Obaid Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer, Dolphin Energy Limited, said, “the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation is doing so much to develop talent among athletes and the wider community of the UAE and we have been honored to sponsor the Federations’ events and initiatives. More than 5,000 male and female competitors have taken part in the 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and its global profile matches that of the biggest international sporting spectacles. All those associated with the event should be very proud of their achievements. Congratulations.”
Two silvers in Brown Belt Category
Mayed Alshehhi (purple belt) of the UAE won silver in the 56kg division, giving the hosts a strong appearance on the medal table.
“For any player hoping for a future professional jiu-jitsu career, winning a medal at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was a huge step. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get the gold, but we must recognise that losing is a necessary component of the game. This is a lesson for me to keep improving myself and win more medals in the future,” the Baniyas club champion said.
Omar Ali Alsuwaidi, also a Baniyas player, won silver in the same division.
“I made double efforts to outperform the opponent, and we were tied until the end of the match, and he won with a tiny advantage. I am sure that the next championship will a greater one for me as I will be getting myself ready with the lessons I learnt this year,” he added.
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