Brazil president and Gracie grace Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship
The President of the UAE and Asian Federations, and First Vice President of the International Jiu-jitsu Federation, Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, was ‘honoured’ to welcome Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro to the Jiu-jitsu Arena on day two of the 13th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC), the largest and most prestigious jiu-jitsu event on the global calendar.
The head of state toured the arena with worldfamous Jiu-jitsu coach and compatriot Renzo Gracie, pausing for photographs with Jiu-jitsu fans and watching the action from the Masters competitions featuring athletes in the over 30 category, in the six-day event held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Hashemisaid:“wetakethisoccasiontothankthe Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and congratulate the people of Brazil and all the Brazilian coaches and citizens residing in the UAE for their Republic Day celebrations.
“Abu Dhabi Jiu-jitsu Pro is gradually expanding by holding tournaments in various states of Brazil, out of our enthusiasm to provide the best competitive environment and next level of professionalism to discover and refine talents in Brazil, given that there are nearly 2.5 million registered players in Brazil who practice this sport, and more than 20,000 special academies for Jiu-jitsu training.”
Gracie, one of the biggest names in the history of Jiu-jitsu, praised the tournament organisers for this year’s event. He said: “Here, Jiu-jitsu is everything, and to be here is a real honour. This is the best competition I have seen in my life, and the event gets beter every year.”
President Bolsonaro expressed his happiness with the development of jiu-jitsu in the UAE, as well as the role of the UAE in promoting the sport in all countries of the world.
Following on from the junior action on opening day, it was the turn of the Masters – contestants over 30 – to take to the mat in the blue and purple belt categories on day two of the event which brings 4,000 contestants together for six days of highquality competition.
Uae-based academy the Commando Group claimed the lead in the first day of the Masters category with 123,920 points, ahead of Sharjah Self-defence Sports Club with 52,800 points, and the Checkmat International from the US in third with 44,000 points.
Meanwhile, the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) has set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest Jiu-jitsu lesson, ater the successful coordination of an activation involving 2,700 Jiu-jitsu athletes across 14 different sites across the UAE in a well-orchestrated event created in collaboration with Palm Sports and the Brazil Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020.
The objective aims to highlight the growing strength of Jiu-jitsu and the positive impact the sport has on society.
The coordinated training sessions took place simultaneously at 14 sites across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, including one at the Brazil pavilion at Dubai Expo which was atended by Brazil President Bolsonaro, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister for Tolerance and Coexistence, and Fernandoigreja,thebrazilianambassadortotheuae.
The president’s visit to the biggest Jiu-jitsu lesson, and to day two of the 13th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC) earlier in the day, coincided with his country’s Republic Day, highlighting the strong ties between the UAE and Brazil in Jiu-jitsu.
Aside from the Expo session, the other training sessions were staged at nine schools in Abu Dhabi and four schools in Al Ain.
Commenting on the Guinness World Record breaking event, Igreja, the Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE, said: “This initiative contributes to the consolidation of relations between the people of UAE and Brazil and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest.”