Abu Dhabi: It took a mere 56 seconds for UAE’s Mahra Al Hanaei to defend her title in the Juvenile 52kg Blue Belt overpowering compatriot Sharifa Mubarak 7-0 on points at the Abu Dhabi Youth World Championship at the Ipic Arena on Tuesday.
The Hanaei sisters — Maha, Mahra and Hana — have been creating waves in women’s Jiu-Jitsu for some time now. Earlier, the youngest of the three — Hana won gold in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Festival. If elder sister Maha also goes on to win in the adult division on Thursday, where she is making her debut in Blue Belt at the World Pro, it will mark a hat-trick of gold medals within the family.
Mahra Al Hanaei (white) in action against countrywoman Sharifa Mubarak in the final of the Juvenile 52kg Blue Belt. |
Abdul Rahman/Gulf News |
“I have fought with Mubarak before in the Grand Slam and so the fight was easy. I’m extremely delighted to defend my title,” said a jubilant Mahra, who also had bagged two golds in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Festival in 2014 and 2015.
“Hana and I have managed to clinch gold and, Inshallah, it will be huge for our family and for UAE if Maha goes on to claim gold in the adult category. We will be behind her all the way,” added the 16-year-old.
There was huge disappointment, however, for Khalifa Nasrati — UAE’s wonder boy with stumped fingers as he went down to Gilgamesh Blanch of Australia, the same opponent to whom he lost out in the finals last year.
However, the contest was an intense one and Blanch only managed to edge out Nasrati by one advantage point that he had gained in the initial stages of the bout. “I’m delighted to have won the bout but Nasrati is a tremendous fighter. You have to give all credit to him for fighting at this level battling all his odds. He has always given me tough fight and is quite an inspiration,” said Blanch, who represents Sydney Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
Nasrati, though disappointed at losing the contest, vowed that he will come back stronger next season. “The best man won and I lost to my friend. He’s a good fighter and an awesome guy. I respect him a lot and it was a pleasure to have fought against him,” said Nasrati adding that after the loss last year, he was very motivated and has been competing in a lot of competitions.
The UAE’s Omar Al Fadhli, the youngest member of the UAE national team, also won gold in the Blue Belt 55kg beating compatriot Hamad Nawad by a choke in two minutes and 13 seconds.
With the victory, Al Fadhli also avenged the loss he suffered at the hands of Nawad at the Youth Championship in Athens last month. “It was a very good fight and thank God I ended the fight in one choke from the back. It was an amazing win and all my focus was on the fight. So to win my first gold was really special something that I will remember for my life,” said a beaming Al Fadhli.
The Abu Dhabi World Pro event also got under way on Wednesday after a glittering ceremony. In the Masters 1 Blue Belt 69kg category, Ireland’s Irisney de Lima defeated Willi Fernandez Herrera of Commando Team on points 17-2.
“It is my first visit to Abu Dhabi and tried to qualify for adult but couldn’t manage as I finished second. So I had to compete in the masters and it was a great experience. The atmosphere was amazing and to win was special,” said a thrilled De Lima.
