Abu Dhabi: UAE prodigy Khalifa Al Kaabi is in line to defend his title in the juvenile blue belt 60kg category at the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship being held at the Mubadala Arena.
On Monday, in the semis, he defeated compatriot Mohammad Al Mansouri via submission after leading 4-0 on points. Al Kaabi will be meeting Brazil’s Athos Benjamim Ferreira in the summit clash.
“It was a great contest and so far everything went well. One more to go and I want to clinch that gold,” said the World No. 1 in juvenile blue belt.
Al Kaabi, a member of the UAE national age group team, in the quarters had got the better of Canadian Jacob Boodhoo — again by submission after leading 6-0.
“Yes, I had control over both my last bouts. I have not fought Athos before but he will know about me tomorrow,” said a confident Al Kaabi, who has remained unbeaten since he won the title last year.
The 17-year-old has won five golds from his previous five appearances at the World Pro, including one each in the yellow, green and blue belt categories, and two in the orange.
“I want to make it six in a row, that was my aim coming into the tournament. This is my last year in the Juvenile category and hence I want to finish off on a high and will give my best tomorrow,” said Al Kaabi, whose other victories this season included gold medals at the Grand Slams in Los Angeles, London and Abu Dhabi. In the run-up to this tournament, last month, he also won gold in the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation’s World Championship for Aspirants and Juniors held in the capital.
Al Kaabi’s rival in the final — Ferreira — also registered a comfortable victory in the semis by beating Mongolia’s Jugdernamjil Tsegmid by submission after trailing 2-0. In the quarters, the Brazilian had registered a hard fought victory over Ukrainian Serhii Krasovskiy on referee’s decision after both were locked 2-2.
“I’m here for the first time and to making it to the final is special. I will give my best. Very much ready for the challenge for gold,” said a beaming Ferreira.
Tsegmid, despite losing the semis bout to Ferreira, went on to clinch bronze by rally from 6-0 down to shock Al Mansouri via submission.
Sweden’s Marlon Tajik retained his title in the Boys G1 teen Orange/ Green 72kg category beating Sail Al Mansouri by submission after leading 5-0 on points.
“This is second time I’m coming here and I have won gold twice in the same category. I have been unbeaten in the Swedish nationals and Nordic Nationals,” said Tajik, who will not be defending his title next year to concentrate on his studies.
“After this year, I will take a two-year break for my studies. I’m in ninth standard and the next two years are crucial. I will be training though but won’t be taking apart in any competition. Will be back for sure after that as I want to continue jiu-jitsu,” said an elated Tajik.
Brazil’s Gabriel Costa, may have scraped through to the finals of the Juvenile GI male blue 81kg on referee’s decision after being tied 1-1 on advantage points against Saudi’s Khaled Alghamdi, but he made that opportunity count in the finals.
Costa was back on the mat after a short break to clinch gold beating Slovakian Samuel Carnogursky comprehensively by submission after 11-0.
UAE is leading the medals tally with 88 gold, 99 silver and 200 bronze in the boys and girls category after two days of the youth championships. Kazakhstan is on second spot with 16 gold, 19 silvers and 18 bronze followed by Russia with 18 gold, 10 silver and 13 bronze.
