Al Jazira host table-toppers Al Ain as Pro League resumes
An enthralling, weeklong Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship culminated in a dramatic final day of action on Friday as the sport’s elite men and women grappled for global glory on the mat at Jiu Jitsu Arena, with Brazilian fighters dominating the gold medal matches and topping the podium 11 times from 12 finals.
Finals day of the professional brown/black belt men’s and women’s divisions was a true global gathering at the home of jiu-jitsu with the 12 matches featuring 24 athletes from nine countries: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Georgia, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Poland.
The geographical spread of countries - spanning four continents - represented on the mat, is a sign of how important the ADWPJCC, 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, is to the world’s athletes, in terms of prestige and ranking points.
Featuring a host of top-ranked athletes, the high-calibre schedule crowned the winners of 12 World Pro titles: in seven male black belt weight divisions and five female brown / black belt weight divisions.
At the end of a day of top-class action Brazil topped the country rankings with a stunning total of 11 gold medals and two silvers. Argentina finished second with one gold and one silver, while Poland finished third in the rankings with two silver medals.
Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, decorates winners on the podium. Hammadi, awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, and championship belts, to the newly crowned jiu-jitsu heroes. Other high-profile dignitaries watching the gripping finals included Salem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Director of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority - Abu Dhabi Center.
UAEJJF Chairman praises international athletes for “amazing finale” to 13th ADWPJJC
Ater a successful 13th edition of the largest and most prestigious jiu-jitsu event on the global calendar, the second ADWPJJC in the space of sevenmonths,abdulmoneimalhashemi,chairman of UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation, President of Jiu-jitsu Asian Union & Senior Vice President of Jiu-jitsu International Federation, said: “Jiu-jitsu is on an exciting journey and Abu Dhabi is at the heart of that upward trajectory. I would like to extend our warmest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his generous patronage and unwavering support that enables us to provide a plaform for the world’s athletes to compete.
“In this year’s edition, we were pleased with the return of many stars from around the world who built themselves a large fanbase during their distinguished participation in past editions of the tournament, and this is a great gain, but what pleased us most is the emergence of a large number of new stars who recorded a strong first appearance in Abu Dhabi. We look forward to the return of world stars again to the capital of jiu-jitsu Abu Dhabi next year for the 14th edition of the championship, which will be held from Nov.10 to 19, 2022.”
DRAMA AND POWER DOMINATE THE FINALS: The day’s action got off to a dramatic start when Brenda Larissa, from Brazil, beat Argentina’s Eliana Carusi by decision ater a gripping, five-minute women’s brown/black Roosterweight final.
“I’m very happy with my performance today. I put myself under a bit of pressure because I had won gold in my three previous times at the Abu Dhabi World Pro, so it’s great to make it a fourth gold and continue my 100% record at this fantastic event.
“This is the pinnacle of our sport. I knew it was going to be hard fight, especially as my opponent was from Argentina!”
Nathannaelfernandesmadeittwowinsfromtwo for Brazil when he oufought compatriot Francisco Jonas Andrade to claim gold with a 2-1 victory in the men’s black belt Light Featherweight final.
“It’s only been two weeks since I got my black belt, so this is a dream for me. Just being in the final was an achievement, but to beat the No.1 player in the division is something else. It’s always great to come here, I won blue belt gold in 2019, but I will never forget this Abu Dhabi World Pro experience. This is just the beginning; I will be back.”
Ana Rodrigues followed her compatriots on to the top of the podium in the third final of the day, geting the beter of her opponent, Rose El Sharouni, from the Netherlands to claim a 3-1 victory in the women’s brown/black belt Featherweight final and secure her first ADWPJCC medal on her third appearance.
ABU DHABI: Ater a lengthy break, all clubs will be out to make a further impression approaching the ‘Limitless Determination’ Round 10 of the UAE ADNOC Pro League later this week.
Al Jazira will be eager to put their title defence back on track as they host table-toppers Al Ain on Saturday, while Shabab Al Ahli will try to keep up the pressure on the early leaders as they travel across the Dubai Creek against Al Nasr, on Sunday in the two feature matches of the week.
Al Ain have been the early precursors of things to come as they stand atop the standings with 21 points from a possible 27 points in the nine rounds played so far. Al Ain have so far won six and drawn three – against Al Orooba, second-placed Al Wahda and Shabab Al Ahli.
At the end of the last round held at the beginning of November, Al Wahda powered their way to only their fourth win and continue breathing down the neck of Al Ain, with 17 points.
Al Wahda and Al Ain are the only two teams presently without a single loss making them worthy challengers to the title this season.
But, Al Wahda will have to first circumvent a tricky opponent in Ajman on Sunday evening, knowing well that their opponents have been showing a lot of promise while winning against more fancied teams such as Al Nasr, Bani Yas, Sharjah and Al Jazira.
The highlight of Round 10 will be the Dubai derby featuring two of the most competitive rivals in UAE football. Al Nasr have shone in spurts – with wins against Sharjah and neighbours Al Wasl in more recent times, but losses against smaller teams such as Ajman and Itihad Kalba.
However, to their credit Al Nasr have been emphatic every time they’ve won matches with Al Orooba the worst sufferers ater that 5-0 mauling in Round 2, followed by a 4-0 drubbing of Emirates and identical 3-0 margins against Khor Fakkan and Sharjah.
Shabab Al Ahli, on the other hand, will be let to rue the fact that they have dropped vital points following 1-1 results against Al Orooba and Al Ain, goalless draws against Al Wahda and Itihad Kalba and an away loss to Al Wasl in Round 6.
Round 10 proceedings will get under way on Saturday with Sharjah trying to put their campaign back on track against Khor Fakkan, while Bani Yas will host Al Orooba in the two early matches. In the late games, Emirates will be looking for their first points of the season as they host high-flying Itihad Kalba, while fourthplaced Al Jazira batle against leaders Al Ain.
On Sunday, 12th-placed Al Dhafra will host ninth-placed Al Wasl, while seventh-placed Ajman will make the long trip to second-placed Al Wahda in the two early matches, followed by the Dubai derby between Al Nasr and Shabab Al Ahli at 8.15 pm.
Meanwhile, inline with its fan engagement strategy aimed at increasing awareness towards its competitions, the UAE Pro League launches ‘the UAEPL Arena’.