Abu Dhabi: This year’s Jiu-Jitsu World Pro will be different for Hamad Eisa Al Beloushi, who was born with a deformed left leg.
Thanks to Jiu-Jitsu, Al Beloushi has set an example for many in the UAE on how to overcome one’s shortcomings and excel in life.
He grabbed headlines by competing among the able bodied in the local Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and came up a winner time and again on the dint of his iron will and dedication. However, with a category for disabled players added to this year’s competition, he is making the switch and won’t be competing in the able bodied category.
“Everybody is saying it will be better for me but I will know how much it will help me only after fighting in this new competition. It will be a little different but I need to try and so I’m excited to know,” said the 20-year-old, who took up the sport to overcome his inhibitions.
“If this tournament is better, I will carry on or else I will try to talk to the federation to put me back with the normal competitors. For nine years, I played with normal players and now I feel like something is going to be different,” said Al Beloushi, who normally competes in the 40kg purple belt division.
Al Beloushi’s apprehension is understandable as he is not sure how the change will impact his performance and whether he will be able to match his opponents as all the fights are in the open category.
“It is going to be a little bit hard because I’m in the 40kg division and if I have to play with someone who is 70kg, it will be difficult for me. I will have to focus and change my strategy. If it is in my weight category, I can do a lot of moves differently,” said Al Beloushi, who also recalled how he used to be bullied in school and how life-changing Jiu-Jitsu has been for him.
“Jiu-Jitsu teaches a lot of things in life. When I was a child, I was a mess, but when I learnt Jiu-Jitsu I learned how to behave in life. When I was in school, many of my schoolmates used to make fun of me because of my leg problem but now they say ‘he is a Jiu-Jitsu player’ and want to make friends with me,” said Al Beloushi, who is studying at the Higher College of Technology.
The move from the Jiu-Jitsu Federation is commendable and it has opened up avenues for the people with physical disabilities from around the globe to compete in Jiu-Jitsu. What sort of a modification will be needed to enhance the tournament only time will tell but, as of now, it is certainly a step in the right direction and hopefully goes on to benefit Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts like Al Beloushi.
