Amin Abbas

ABU DHABI: The ten-day-long Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC) concluded with an exciting final day at Mubadala Arena last Friday.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, crowned the first-place winners on the final day of the professional division competitions that brought together male participants with black belts and female participants with brown/black belts, creating a truly global spectacle at the World Jiu-Jitsu Capital.

The event featured 12 matches showcasing 24 athletes hailing from eight countries: Brazil, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom, Portugal, Bulgaria, Russia, and the Philippines.

The men’s black belt weight divisions saw 14 athletes in action, while the brown/black belt weight divisions for women witnessed participation from ten athletes.

The day’s action kicked off with a compelling match as UAE’s Zayed Al Khateeri competed with Brazilian Yuri Hendrex in the men’s black 56kg final. Hendrex secured victory with a 3-1 score.

“I am very pleased with this achievement. While my goal was to defend the title as the champion of this category, the nature of this sport involves both winning and losing. I’m content with the performance I delivered against one of the most formidable opponents in the sport,” said Al Khateeri.

Moreover, Khaled Alshehi competed against Meyram Maquine Alves from Brazil in the men’s black belt 62kg final, securing his first ADWPJJC black belt medal on his debut in the division with a silver.

“I am happy with this wonderful experience, as it is the first time I have qualified for the final of the black belt in the tournament, and I feel proud to have stood at the podium with the UAE flag. There is no doubt that it is a historic moment, and I will start preparing for the next edition of the tournament, drawing lessons from this competition,” said Al Shehhi.

Mayssa Bastos claimed gold in the women’s brown/black belt 49kg final. In other matchups, Anna Rodrigues (55kg), Julia Alves (62kg), and Pedro Ramalho (77kg) had victories. Bruno Lima of Portugal and Ingridd Alves added gold in the men’s brown/black belt 85kg and brown/black belt 70kg finals, respectively

Raimundo Diego Sodré (69kg), Gabrieli Pessanha (95kg), and Fellipe Andrew (94kg) also secured gold in their respective brown/black belt divisions. The climax was Felipe Bezerra’s remarkable victory in the men’s brown/black belt 120kg final, concluding the intense competitions.

UAE athletes won a total of eight medals in the professional division, including two gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.

The competitions were attended by Abdulmunem Alsayedmohamed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, who expressed sincere gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, UAE’s President, for his limitless support for sports and athletes and his appreciation to Emirati clubs and families for their belief in the sport and unwavering support for their children.

“Abu Dhabi, known as the World Jiu-Jitsu Capital, has successfully created a story of success that has captured global attention. Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship contributes to solidifying the Emirate’s position as a top global destination for hosting international events reaching new heights,” he said.

“Today, we commemorate yet another milestone for our UAE champions, further elevating their outstanding track record of accomplishments on both continental and international platforms,” he added.

Furthermore, the final day was also attended by Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee; Brigadier Mohammed bin Dalmouk, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; and Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations, along with a number of officials and representatives of participating clubs and academies and representatives of the UAEJJF’s strategic partners.