Gold medal at Dubai International boosts Al Hammadi’s Asian Games hopes
A gold medal at the Dubai International Championship has given Saood Al Hammadi encouragement that his preparations are on track for the Asian Games next August in Jakarta.
The UAE national jiu-jitsu squad member was triumphant against Jordanian Abdulrahman Abuirmeilh on points in the purple belt 85-kilogramme weight final.
“Victory at any competition is a good habit,” Al Hammadi said. “They all matter when you have big ambitions to make it to the national team squad for the Asian Games.
“With just over eight months left for Jakarta, every competition that I take part in, whether it be local or international, becomes a part of my preparation to achieve that goal.”
It was a welcome return to form for Al Hammadi in his first local competition after a first-round exit to the eventual champion, another Jordanian Hamzeh Rasheed, at the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation’s World Championship in Colombia last month. Al Hammadi, September’s Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games bronze medallist in Turkmenistan, said of his victory over Aburmeilh: “I have met him in an earlier competition but you never know what to expect in combat sport.”
The President’s Cup Round 3 in Sharjah on December 23 is next for Al Hammadi followed by the Grand Slam Abu Dhabi in January, the Grand Slam London in March and Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship in April.
“So far, I’m not aware of any upcoming competitions for the national team but for now I want to concentrate on the competitions that are on our federation’s calendar of events,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Emirati fighters grabbed 39 of the 137 gold medals that were up for grabs over two days of action in Dubai, the first day for No-Gi (without the traditional kimono) and the second day for Gi.
The most notable out of them were teenager Khalifa Nassrati Al Blooshi’s gold in the No-Gi in the blue belt 67kg, and silver in the Gi, behind his UAE national team colleague Saeed Al Mazrouei in the blue belt 62kg.
The UAE women’s team members Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Wadima Al Yafei, Alyazyah Al Shehyari and Maha Al Hanaei were winners of their weight divisions.