Abu Dhabi: The UAE won 14 gold medals, as many silver, and five bronze from the 77 finals held in the fifth and final leg of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam in London.
Yahya Mansour Al Hammadi, the Emirati ace, continued his fine form and provided the UAE with gold in the Brown belt Masters 1, 110kg category beating Robert Graham of Gracie Barra Knightsbridge.
“It was another great event and another gold for me. I’m very happy for my teammates, my coaches and everyone involved at the Federation for a successful season. My goal for next season is to compete in the Black belt division. I hope that would be a possibility,” said a jubilant Al Hammadi.
UAE’s favourite coach Jose Junior also consolidated his position in the world No. 1 spot by clinching gold in the Men’s Black Belt Adult 110kg category beating his Brazilian compatriot Gabriel Arges of BJJ Heroes, who sacrificed his possible gold in the 85kg to fight the former. Arges is currently second in the battle for World No 1 rankings which carries a bonus prize of US$25,000 (Dh92,000) for the winner.
“When I left Brazil to take up a job as an instructor in the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s Jiu-Jitsu School Programme, I never thought I’ll compete again,” said Junior, who made it to the final superseding over Hungarian Mieszko Maciejewski and Antonio Junior in the semi-finals.
“Now I want to prove to the world that the UAE has the best training facilities and the best trainers. Not only has it revived my career as a fighter but has also put me on the verge of reaching the pinnacle in Jiu-Jitsu,” added Junior, who will be looking to seal the title here in Abu Dhabi at the World Pro where 400 points is up for grabs.
UAE’s Faisal Al Ketbi’s Grand Slam medal-less streak followed him from Abu Dhabi to London. Al Ketbi was far from his usual form and had to be content with the fourth spot in the Adult Black belt 85kg category.
The other impressive performance came in the G1 94kg Male Black belt category. Alexandre Ribeiro beat Adam Wardzinski by a bow and arrow choke submission. Nathiely De Jesus submitted Jessica Da Silva by an arm bar in a highly competitive and close fight at the Gi 90kg female Black / Brown belt division.
“After the success at the other four events, I wanted to come here in London and finish off the season in style. And what better way to do it than winning the gold. Respect to Adam, he was really tough. We can see the sport of Jiu-Jitsu is gaining some buzz here in London and I think with the constant support of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu, it will be even bigger in the coming years,” said an elated Ribeiro.
Results
Male Black Belt: 62kg: Medallists: 1st — Hiago Silva, 2nd — Erno England, 3rd — Rodnei Junior; 69kg: Medallists: 1st — Italo Lins, 2nd — Victor Moraes, 3rd — Maxmiliano Campos; 77kg: Medallists: 1st — Talison Costa, 2nd — Ilke Bulut, 3rd — Ross Nicholls; 85kg: Medallists: 1st — Charles Santos, 2nd — Santeri Lilius, 3rd — Bradley Hill; 94kg: Medallists: 1st — Xande Ribiero, 2nd — Adam Wardzinski, 3rd — Jackson Dos Santos; 110kg: Medallists: 1st — Jose Junior, 2nd — Gabriel De Sousa, 3rd — Gabriel Lucas; Female Brown/Black Belt Results: 55kg: Medallists: 1st — Vanessa English, 2nd — Mayra Abrahao; 62kg: Medallists: 1st — Luiza Da Costa, 2nd — Cornelia Rossier, 3rd — Leoni Munslow; 70kg: Medallists: 1st — Ana Srour, 2nd — Samantha Cook, 3rd — Laila Carneiro; 90kg: Medallists: 1st — Nathiely De Jesus, 2nd — Jessica Da Silva, 3rd — Claire-France Thevenon; Masters 1 Black Belt Results: 62kg: Gabriel Moraes; 69kg: Thiago Marques; 77kg: Pedro Bessa; 85kg: Andre De Souza; 94kg: Celso Junior; 110kg: Paulo Pinto.
