Brazil’s Jiddu Bastos Lemos captured the black belt adult open weight crown with victory in the final over Denmark’s Alexander Trans in the No-Gi (non-kimono) category of the Dubai Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship at Al Wasl Indoor Stadium yesterday.
Lemos’ victory concluded the first day of the two-day event, which featured five weight classifications in white, blue, purple, brown and black belt at the adult level, as well as white, blue, purple, brown and black belt at the master level.
“This means a lot for my job,” said Lemos, who also finished second in the black belt adult 93kg class. “I get more self esteem and I can pass on my knowledge to my students, friends and followers of jiu-jitsu and get more respect.”
While his triumph over Trans – a team-mate at League UAE – was significant, it was his defeat of fellow Brazilian Paulo Jose Pinto in the final eight which was most satisfying.
“It wasn’t so much a challenge with Trans, but before with Paulo Pinto – he was my opponent in the world championships before. With Trans, sometimes I know his game, but with Paulo Pinto I had to stay square more today,” said Lemos.
“I lost before to Paulo Pinto one year ago so this is revenge. Before, my wife saw I lost but today she saw I beat him.”
Pinto had his own moment on the podium earlier in the day when he topped compatriot Matheus Serafim in the final of the black belt adult 93kg division.
Pinto used his familiarity of Serafim to his advantage and worked the ground game to earn gold.
“I knew already that [Serafim] comes from a wrestling background, but I have a strong background in wrestling as well,” Pinto said.
“I believed in that and stood up to him.”
The victory propels Pinto forward in his quest for a medal at the upcoming No-Gi World Championship in California, USA.
“I’m very happy because I had been training a lot specifically for this tournament,” Pinto said. “This tournament will prepare me to fight in the World Championship next month in California. I’m using the tournament to get my timing right, takedowns and everything.”
Both Lemos and Pinto will compete in their respective divisions once again in the event’s second day with Gi (kimono) today.
Faisal Al Ketbi will also be in action as part of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, competing in black belt adult 95kg-plus. The 26-year-old is looking to build on his success of winning gold in brown belt at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu- Jitsu Championship in May.
