Rich medal haul for UAE fighters at Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship opener

The 12th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC) kicked off with the world’s best U-18 jiu-jitsu athletes competing for glory at Abu Dhabi’s Jiu-Jitsu Arena, in the presence of a number of dignitaries including Engineer Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education.

The opening day of the largest and most prestigious event on the global jiu-jitsu calendar, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, saw the UAE’s home heroes represent their country with skill and determination; the country’s best young talented scooped 34 medals - 12 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze.

The 12th edition of the ADWPJJC runs until April 9 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena, bringing together hundreds of the sport’s top athletes to compete in a safe environment with strict health and safety protocols in place. Regular PCR testing, social distancing, and mandatory mask wearing, except for athletes during a bout on the mats, have been implemented to ensure the health and wellbeing of all participants.

“The return of ADWPJJC for its 12th edition is a true success story, bringing joy to the jiu-jitsu community around the world,” said Abdul Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations and Senior Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation.

“The launch of the championship today aligns with the UAE’s ‘Year of the 50th’ initiative recognizing the achievements made by our young country in its first 50 years. The UAE is looking forward to writing successful new chapters in various fields including the sport of jiu-jitsu.

“The championship coincides also with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, one of the United Nations initiatives. While the sport of Jiu-jitsu has its own values, differentiating itself from other sports, it plays a huge role in strengthening social ties, solidarity, and respect. The championship is a perfect example of tolerance in bringing players from different backgrounds, across the globe, together to compete,” added Hashemi.

Commenting on the number of international athletes in attendance, Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The strong participation of international players at ADWPJJC demonstrates the world’s confidence in the UAE in hosting international events, in a safe and healthy environment.”

“The decision by the ADWPJJC organizing committee to provide Covid-19 vaccines for all participating international players reflects the UAE’s humanitarian role, and its keenness to send a message of hope, love and tolerance to all countries around the world.” Dhaheri added.

Second day of the competition on Wednesday will see the Masters’ take to the mat, with around 500 black, brown, purple, and blue belt athletes over the age of 30, set to compete in hundreds of fights in various weight classes.

Beatriz Mesquita, a regular participant in the World Pro, and the multiple gold medal winner from Brazil is among the stars competing in the event.

Mesquita, 29, won gold in the black belt 62-kilogram in the last staging of the event in April 2019 and is confident for her title defence.

“I am feeling really good about the competition and I have started studying the fighters I am likely to face more closely now and begun formulating plans for each of them,” she added.

Gutemberg Pereira shared his compatriot’s sentiment and said he was glad to be on the plane to Abu Dhabi to compete in the highlight of the global jiu-jitsu season.

“I am very thankful to the UAE federation for organising the 12th edition of the World Pro in these unprecedented times,” the Brazilian said.