It was practically Brazil against Brazil in the finals of the three-day Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2012, which came to a close last night at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The South American nation’s Rodolfo Vieira Srour – who earlier won gold in the Black Belt Under 94kg final – had little to do to later clinch the Absolute Division belt for his performance in the Black Belt Open Weight category against Andre Galvao, a feat he has achieved once already in his impressive Jiu-Jitsu career.
The belt-laden Brazilian told Sport360°: “Andre Galvao was my toughest opponent. I always tried to get him to submit, but I am satisfied in the end to get him on points.
“Ever since I started fighting in Abu Dhabi, my life has completely changed. The first time was in 2009, I won my weight class division. Then, last year I won the absolute division and my weight class division, and today again I won my weight class division and absolute division. So of course I am very happy,” added the recent Pan American and European Championship winner.
The women’s Black Belt Open Weight championship belt went to Brazilian Gabrielle Garcia, but after much competition and spirit from her pint-sized opponent Beatriz Mesquita, also of Brazil.
The UAE’s national squad put up a hard fight too and gave to the local crowds what they came to see. Faisal Al Ketbi – who had earlier taken gold for his performance in the Purple Belt Under 100kg final event – secured the championship belt for the Men’s Purple Belt Open Weight Category, sending supporters into an uproar.
This was not long after a highly confident Mohammed Walid (of Syria, but competing as part of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu squad) fought his last fight as a white belt and with it, not only secured a blue belt but also a championship belt for the White Belt Open Weight category.
Ahmed Moosa (White Belt Under 100kg) added to the UAE men’s gold medal tally, and said: “This is for all of the people in the UAE. As long as the people and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (event patron) continue to love the sport of Jiu-Jitsu, so will I continue to keep up my performance as one of the best in the UAE and the world.”
Medals were far from in short supply among the UAE women too with a string of locals dominating the Female White Belt Under 54kg final, namely Shamsa Hasan taking gold, Najla Mohammed silver, and Hajra Abdullah Hassan bronze alongside Filipina Amor Aquino of Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Center.
Abu Dhabi Combat Club’s Eman Mohammed also secured a bronze in the Female White Belt Open Weight final, before Kamella Issad clinched gold in the Blue Belt Under 54kg, topping Al Ain’s Helen Faria.
The Senior categories were also overthrown by members of various UAE Jiu-Jitsu centres, most notably Australian Craig Stowers, who clinched the Blue-White Belt Open Weight title, and Abdullah Al Kitbe the Blue-White Belt Under 100kg gold.
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