The jiu-jiTSu coMpeTiTor

Abu Dhabi resident Archie patel reveals the benefits of taking up the Brazilian fighting art

Why did you start jiu-jitsu? Growing up, martial arts played an important part in my life and I wanted to share this journey with my kids by introducing them to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). I started it seven months ago and I am trying to convince both my daughter Keera and son Deven to join me. What do you love most about it? It’s very practical and has been proven to work in real-life situations. It introduces you to lots of people from different walks of life and as an expat, when you decide to leave the UAE there will probably be a BJJ academy near you. What benefits have you found from learning jiu-jitsu? It gives you confidence, teaches you to be humble and promotes persistence. These are many benefits which come with the sport – as a parent these values are what you want to teach your children and what better way to learn these whilst keeping you active. Tell us about the competitions you’ve entered in Abu Dhabi The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation hosts local and international tournaments all year round and I’ve entered into four local tournaments, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam over the past seven months. I was fortunate to win bronze and silver medals in most of these competitions, including a silver medal at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. What’s it like when you start? Tough? Starting any martial art can sound daunting but Primal Gym on Reem Island made me feel at home from day one. It’s not an easy martial art to learn as it requires commitment to train regularly and plenty of patience. Professor Ammar Mutie Al Ahmad, (a BJJ black belt and a four-time European Champion (2009-2012) and a World Champion (2013)), heads up the academy on Reem Island. The structured classes and relaxed atmosphere makes it quite easy for someone to start training in jiu-jitsu.