All the attention fell on the UAE’s Khalifa Murad Al Bulooshi and Reem Rashed in the nation’s incredible 41-medal haul at the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup, the ultimate curtain-raiser to this weekend’s senior championships.
Orange Belt competitor Al Bulooshi took top honours in his division for the second year running to add more shine to his school’s impressive 10-medal tally – three gold, six silver and one bronze – as they overcame the event’s strongest-ever field.
“This moment makes me very happy, I’m very proud of my skills and of myself, and I know the coach is very proud of me,” said the 14-year-old Sultan bin Zayed Al Ain School student, who has amassed nine gold and three silver medals since he started competing three years ago, and dreams of joining the UAE national team, who will be out in full force in today’s adult competition.
Indeed his coach Pedro Matraka was ecstatic over the result, and said: “I have a son back home in Brazil so I can’t help but extend my role as father over to these boys, they are like my own.
“I am so proud of them, this is the biggest competition in the world and the year for them and they produced a very good finish. It’s a great moment for us too, especially because this year the Federation brought kids from America, China, Brazil, from many countries, and last year they came on their own without any support.
“So this year, a greater number of really good international players were able to come and made the competition much stronger. But our hard work has brought us among the top three competing local schools.”
In the inaugural female division, Rashed was the rising star of the day after topping the podium in a pulsating final in her category. She said: “I would like to thank the federation for their support for female fighters and the backing they have given us.”
Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation added: “The next generation of Jiu-Jitsu fighters has once again proven that the future of the sport is in safe hands with some spellbinding performances throughout the day, both from the boys and the girls. I am looking forward to seeing these fighters evolve and represent the nation throughout the world.”
UFC Champions blow away by Abu Dhabi show
The talented young judokas of the World Children’s Cup competed under the watchful eye of hugely-impressed UFC stars BJ Penn and Demian Maia.
Penn said of Abu Dhabi: “Yes, it can be ‘the Capital of Jiu-Jitsu’ because they’re giving all these people from all over the world the opportunity to come here to make some money and get paid for doing what they love.
“A lot of people leave jiu-jitsu to go fight MMA for the money and now they can just stay with jiu-jitsu. It’s wonderful.”
Fellow special guest Maia added: “I am most amazed with the organisation of this event, how beautiful they put everything together. This is the best I’ve ever seen anywhere.”
A draw has been organised to award lucky MMA fans a training session with the legendary pair this Friday during the senior championships at ADNEC. The public need only register their interest before 3pm onsite that day.
For the full and comprehensive list of results click HERE.
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