Abu Dhabi: Mahra Al Hanaei completed a hat-trick of titles in the Abu Dhabi World Youth Championship by defeating compatriot Noor Yousuf Al Hammadi in the finals of the Green Teen 54.5kg at the Ipic Arena on Tuesday.
“Extremely pleased with the result and can’t express my feelings,” said an overjoyed Al Hanaei, adding, “I knew my opponent well and so had planned my move against her. It would have been great had my sister Maha also won the gold to complete her hat-trick. I will be aiming for the fourth title next year.”
There was, however, disappointment for Alyazyah Al Shehyari, who lost a tough battle to Angolan Alexia Paiva in the Blue belt Juvenile 61.5kg category.
Al Shehyari was a firm favourite for the title having done well all through the season. However, despite her convincing displays in the earlier rounds, she proved to be no match for Paiva, who arm locked the former to clinch the title.
“I’m very happy to win and I won because I had more power,” said a jubilant Paiva, who has also won the World Championship at California.
Al Shehyari was happy to draw inspiration from the tournament saying, “I have enjoyed my fight and it was nice to learn some things. Maybe I will come back strongly in the next fights. I will keep training hard. I will be moving to the adult category so the challenge will be more.”
A lot was expected off UAE’s Khalifa Mohammad Al Beloushi, who had made it to the finals of the Blue Juvenile 61.5kg overcoming his stumped finger disability. Al Beloushi had won three tough fights but on Tuesday he lost to Australian Gilgamesh Kevin Blanch by submission.
“It was heartbreaking to lose after coming so close. I tried by best that’s what I can say. I will continue to work hard and there is always a next time. Congrats to the Australian,” said a dejected-looking Al Beloushi.
Local star Nasr Omar Al Braiki may have won four titles at the Grand Slams this season but he too failed to live up to his top billing at the World Pro as he lost both in his weight category and Open event.
On a day dominated by the Kazakh fighters, Mohammad Darwish provided hosts UAE with the first gold in the Male White Adult +94kg category of the Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship.
However, Darwish too had to battle his way past Kazakh Assyl-Arman Aikhymebekov in a hard fought finals. Darwish was always firm favourite going on the final after having won the title last year as well.
“Very happy to clinch the title and all the hard work in the run-up to the tournament paid off,” said a beaming Darwish, proudly displaying his gold medal.
In the Masters class Blue 69kg, Musabbeh Mohammad Khatri of UAE also completed a hat-trick of titles when he got the better of Ákos Dualszky Carlson Gracie of Hungary in the final.
“It was very hard as this competition is getting bigger with every passing year. It is always tough against Kazakh fighters and I had to toil hard in the second fight. However, it feels great to complete a hat-trick of titles,” said an elated Khatri, who works with the Civil Defence.
Another gold for UAE came in the Male Purple Master 69kg, when Ebrahim Abdullah Al Hosani tamed Jordan’s Mohammad Salim Khair.
Among the women, UAE’s Wadima Ali Ahbabi provided the lone gold brushing aside the challenge from United States’ Alma Zieve Kenup.
Salwa Mahboob Al Ali of Al Jazira Club was just one step away from bagging gold but her hopes were dashed by Jordan’s Rima Awni Mahmoud in the Female White Adult +70kg category.
Kazakh women, drawing inspiration from their male counterparts, went on to make it a clean sweep in the Female White Adult 55kg category. Moldir Mekenbayeva Strela defeated compatriot Aliya Aldiyarova Atos in the finals for gold. The bronze also was bagged by Shyringul Babasheva.
