Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu event attracts elite athletes
abu dhabi — The upcoming Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Mubadala Arena will offer world-class competition, according to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, a press release said.
The UAEJJF, the official authority for the sport in the Emirates, said they are ready to stage the 11th edition of the seven-day championship (April 20-26) which will see thousands of elite athletes from around the world.
Abdulmunem Al Mohammed Al Hashemi, chairman of the UAEJFF, addressed a press conference in which he confirmed this year’s championship will once again welcome the elite athletes from more than 100 countries.
The press conference was attended by Aref Hamad Al Awani, general secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Yaqoob Al Saadi, director of Abu Dhabi Sport Channels; Tareq Zeyad Al Ameri, deputy executive director, Licencing Sector at the Department of Education and Knowledge; Fouad Fahmi Darwish, general manager, Palms Sports; Ahmad Thani Al Matrooshi, managing director, Emaar Properties; Saeed Hijazi, assistant general manager, Sales Jaguar and Land Rover, Premier Motors; Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, chief executive officer, UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
This is the world’s largest jiujitsu event. This tournament represents a real example of the importance of teamwork
Abdulmunem Al Mohammed
As the Federation prepares to take the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship into its second decade following 10 years of success, Al Hashemi maintains the championship is now the most important event on the international jiu-jitsu calendar.
“This is the world’s largest jiujitsu event and we have been working hard to finalise the tournament in line with the vision of Abu Dhabi as the global home of jiu-jitsu,” said Al Hashemi.
“This tournament represents a real example of the importance of teamwork and cooperation between sports federations and public and private sector institutions. We thank all our partners for the success of this edition, which represents a tournament for the UAE and the world - not just for Abu Dhabi.”
Al Hashemi revealed the 2019 championship has recorded tremendous growth on various levels, including the calibre of athletes. Registration is now closed with every category reaching its capacity. This year’s event has seen a 12 percent increase in the number of black belts compared with 2018.
Jiu-jitsu heroes from the sport’s traditional heartlands such as Brazil, UK, US and the UAE will be joined by athletes from 12 emerging countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Angola .
In the men’s main event, world no.1 Joao Gabriel Batista de Souza, no.2 Diego Ramalo, and third seed Adam Wardzinski, will all grace the mats at Mubadala Arena.
The women’s World Pro will also welcome the world’s top three — world no.1 Gabrielle Besanha, no.2 Mesa Bastos and no.3 Samantha Cook, with a plethora of other stars joining them on the mat. Supplied photo