Abu Dhabi: Having not lost a single bout for over 300 days, the spotlight is very much on 18-year-old Emirati sensation — Omar Al Fadhli — ahead of the 10th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship from April 16-28.
Though it will be his first bout in the adult division at the World Pro since graduating to the adult category, Al Fadhli will be the UAE’s best bet for gold given the form he is in.
Fadhli has been basking in glory ever since he won gold in the juvenile category at the World Pro last year and is keen to continue in the same vein.
- Helder Medeiros » Al Fadhli’s coach
“It is a big challenge but I believe in my abilities,” said Al Fadhli in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.
“At the moment I’m feeling very comfortable in the run-up to the tournament. I have been training for around six hours a day and the preparations are very much as per plans,” said the 18-year-old, who has clinched eight gold this season and more importantly, won the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan — both were trial events ahead of the Asian Games.
“The toughest opponent will be me. I think I will be fighting against myself. More than pressure about fighting in front of home fans, it will be about controlling my mind. I will definitely win,” asserts the grade 12 student of Al Ittihad School Abu Dhabi, whose laurels this season in Juvenile category also include Grand Slams in Tokyo and Abu Dhabi.
He also claimed the top honours in a high profile tournament in Brazil following a monthlong training camp there along with a gold in the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation’s competition for juniors and aspirants in Abu Dhabi.
Al Fadhli’s Brazilian coach Helder Medeiros, popularly known as Bobby says, he is not “100 but 300 per cent sure” about his ward tasting success straightaway in the adult category.
“I don’t have any doubt about Al Fadhli making a smooth transition. Of course, when you are making a transition it is a hard part. Having said that, his form is different and when he got into juvenile also he didn’t face any problem.
“I don’t think he will have any problems again and one of the reasons for that is because he keeps competing against fighters who are in the higher categories like brown belt. It won’t be a big deal for him,” felt Bobby, who rated Al Fadhli’s progress in the last two years are phenomenal.
“Al Fadhli is at his peak but it is not a work from now but it has come because of years of effort. I have been with him for five years after he came for high performance.
“He’s improved a lot under also under the reputed coach Jose Ribamar and his mentality for fight improved. Hence he has not lost a single fight close to a year.”
Schedule
ADEK Jiu-Jitsu National Championship: April; 16-17 — (UAE Nationals only) Under 18.
Jiu-Jitsu National Championship: April 18-19 (UAE Nationals only) Over 18; Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Festival 2018: April 20-21 Under 18 (Open to All Nationalities) — Kids from 4 years up to 17 years.
Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Festival 2018: April 20-21 Above 18 years (Open to All Nationalities) — Adults White Belt, Masters 3 & 4 All Belts and Para Jiu-Jitsu All Groups.
Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2018: April 22-23 — Under 18 years (Open to All Nationalities) — All Belts — Youth from 10 years to 17 years.
Abu Dhabi King of Mats 2018: April 24 — Intended for formers World Pro and Grand Slams Champions.
Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2018: April 24 to 28 — Above 18 years old (Open to All Nationalities) — Blue, Purple, Brown and Black Belts, Adults and Masters 1 & 2.
