United Arab Emirates players smash competition

The 9th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continued on Friday with the Emirati players reaching new levels of achievement and proving themselves like never before.

The first day of the weekend witnessed the second round of the quarter-finals and semi-finals in the men and women categories for brown and black belts, as well as the final of the Masters 1 black and brown belts.

Emirati fighters Faisal al Ketbi, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Yahya Al Hammadi and Ibrahim Al Hosani collectively won two gold medals after showing strong performances that thrilled the packed IPIC Arena.

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2017 is being held under the patronage of d His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, from 18th to 22nd April at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.

Brazil led the way after Friday’s results were confirmed, with 21 medals (9 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze), the United States came second with four medals (1 gold, 3 bronze), Russia came third with three medals (1 silver, two bronze), Australia came fourth with two medals (1 gold, 1 silver), United Kingdom came fifth with two medals (1 silver, 1 bronze), the United Arab Emirates came sixth with two medals (both gold), and Sweden came seventh with one medal (gold).

Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, Chairman of UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, "We thank God for the great success of this championship that was witnessed by all those who attended today. The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship has accomplished this outstanding success because of the elite players who participated and the wonderful audience who came in big numbers to watch the championship every day."

"The success of the youth players winning gold medals further shows the accomplishment of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s strategy to raise a new generation that loves jiu-jitsu from a young age. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed handicapped jiu-jitsu players and the idea was formed of adding one new category, the para jiu-jitsu, in this the ninth edition of the championship, in parallel with the UAE’s Year of Giving," Al Hashemi added.

After winning his semi-final in the weight category of 85kg and qualifying for the final tomorrow, Al Ketbi, UAE’s captain and the number one ranked fighter in the country, said, "It was a good day and hopefully tomorrow will be the same. I tried my best, I followed my coach’s instructions and thanks to Allah we achieved the final."

Saturday’s crowds will witness the final fights and gold medal winners before the championship’s concluding ceremony.

Tomorrow’s fixtures include: Yahya Al Hammadi and the Brazilian Fabio Nascimento, in the category of Masters 1 brown belts, weighing 110 kg.

Emirati Taleb Al Karbi against the Brazilian Thiago Marquez, in the Masters 1 category black belt, weighing 69 kg.

Emirati captain Faisal al Ketbi faces the Brazilian Claudio Calasans in the black belt adults men category.

Also on Saturday, 10 of the world’s most iconic jiu-jitsu competitors will compete as part of the Legends Challenge, showcasing their skills, talents and experience.