UAE’s defending world champion Faisal Al Ketbi has set his sights on retaining his title for the third time when the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (ADWPJC) begins later this week.
More than 2,500 of the world’s best will descend on the UAE capital for the ADWPJC (April 17-19) and the inaugural World Children’s Cup, that takes place tomorrow and Wednesday at First Gulf Bank (FGB) Arena, Zayed Sports City, in Abu Dhabi.
The competition, which has a prize money of Dh1.61 million, is being held under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
At last year’s competition, 26-year-old Al Ketbi defeated Britain’s Luke Costello in the 100kg brown belt category, and the Emirati wants a repeat.
“The target is to win and keep my gold medal,” said Al Ketbi, following a press conference at the Park Rotana in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
“I want to claim another achievement with another gold medal; I have been waiting for a long time for this and I hope to achieve this.”
Besides Al Ketbi, Yahya Al Hammadi, Hasan Al Rumaithi, Ali Salem Al Darai (all purple belts), as well as Shamsa Hasan and Emaan Mohammed (blue), in the women’s category, will be representing the UAE.
Al Ketbi said: “They [Emiratis] will be able to gain a lot of knowledge because there are great fighters coming here to share their knowledge.
“This will help the Emiratis improve faster and they will be able to learn from their mistakes. Competing in Abu Dhabi is an advantage for us and we hope to do well in this tournament,” he added.
Meanwhile, women’s defending champion Beatriz Mesquita admits the competition is getting harder by the year but is optimistic of retaining her title this week.
“For sure (it’s getting hard). All of the world’s best fighters come here and this year will be hard. Next year’s competition will certainly be even harder. But I am confident of doing well,” said the Brazilian 66kg black belt champion.
The 23-year-old is no stranger to the UAE capital, having competed in the competition four times previously, as well as triumphing in the Abu Dhabi Professional Championship in 2013.
And, Mesquita feels the Emiratis are improving every year: “The (Emirati) girls are doing everything to get better. Their Brazilian coaches are great teachers. They (competitors) just have to remain focused on their training to become champions and eventually they can grow in the sport.”
Mesquita had nothing but praise for the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) for promoting the sport.
“Abu Dhabi are doing great to promote the sport. UAE have many teachers and some come from Brazil. I can see an evolution of the sport and the people who are training and practicing here are getting better and better,” she said.
Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, president of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union and chairman of the UAEJJF, said: “Today is another proud and momentous occasion for the UAEJJF as we welcome the best fighters to Abu Dhabi. The stage is set for a memorable few days.”
