Abu Dhabi: Khalifa Mohammad Nosrati, who hogged headlines for overcoming his deformities and competing with the able ones in Jiu-Jitsu, is all set to take his biggest flight.
Nosrati will be representing UAE at the Beach Games in Vietnam in September. The boy, with the stumped fingers on his left hand, gave enough evidence that he is in the best of shape for the tournament by clinching gold at the season-opening President’s Cup first leg at the IPIC Arena.
Nosrati won all his four bouts to clinch the title in the Male White Blue Purple Brown Black Aspirants 62kg category. “I fought in the adult category and to win all four fights was very satisfying. Practicing with the senior national teams clearly has helped me a lot and that showed,” said Nosrati, who defeated his teammate from Al Ain Club Obaid Salem Nuaimi in the final.
“The final was a close fight but he got a muscle cramp later on. However, all the fights have done a world of good to my confidence. I’m ready,” said Nosrati, adding that his focus will now be solely on the Beach Games.
“I have been training really hard in the camp for the national team. I early lacked the confidence to fight the senior players. Now I can. Technically, I have become good and physically I’m stronger than before. Hopefully, I can put up a good show at the Beach Games,” added Nosrati, whose Al Ain Club teammate another member of the national team Saeed Hajhmdou also struck gold along with his brother Khalid.
Al Ain went on to top the medals tally in both men’s and women’s section. In the men’s category, they bagged eight gold medals, while in the women’s category they clinched seven golds and three silvers from the 10 weight categories.
Speaking about the inaugural President’s Cup tournament, Abdul Monem Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation said, “On behalf of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, I would like to congratulate all the players. We witnessed some fantastic matches which were a testament and a live demonstration of the self-discipline and strength that the sport of Jiu-Jitsu has instilled in all the players. We are looking forward to the second round.”
Expressing her delight on the launch of the inaugural President’s Cup, Samira Rumaithi, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation said: “We strongly believe that the introduction of this tournament will exponentially contribute to the development of Jiu-Jitsu across the country. I’m delighted to be celebrating both the Emirati Women’s Day and the inauguration of the President’s Cup at the same, underlining the significant role Jiu-Jitsu plays in instilling a sense of self-confidence, discipline and strength among Emirati women.”
Top 3 finishers
Position Team Points Gold Silver Bronze
1 Al Ain Club 615 15 8 0
2 Al Jazira Club 180 2 4 4
3 Al Dhafra Club 155 2 4 1
