The UAE junior jiu jitsu team returned home to a heroes’ welcome last night after their staggering success at the American National Kids Championships.
The Emiratis fought their way to an impressive 45 medals in Los Angeles, including 15 gold, 17 silver and 13 bronze.
They were greeted at Abu Dhabi International Airport like rock stars and described as young heroes by Abdulmonem Al Hashemi, UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation chairman.
Alyazya Al Shyari was unable to hold back tears as she arrived home to be greeted by a hoard of friends and family.
“There is something in my heart I don’t quite know how to tell, but I’m so happy and so proud,” said the silver medallist.
Alyazya, 16, added: “We finished third as a team and I just want to thank Sheikh Mohammed for giving us this chance.”
Ali Abdulrahman Aljneibi, 14, won gold in the 60.5lb category.
“It feels good and I am happy to have led my team to the top,” he said.
“I always believed I would win a medal because of my coaches and my team-mates. They all helped me win and this gold is for them, as well as Sheikh Mohammed.”
Abdulrahman Aziz Alamari said he delivered on a pre-tournament promise.
“I said I would win gold and I deserve it,” said the 13-year-old.
“It’s nice to have won, I enjoyed it and I’m very proud.”
Another gold medal winner was Khalifa Humaid Alcaabi in the 125lb section.
“I’m very happy to have represented my country and brought the gold home,” he said.
Ahmed Bader, 15, won a bronze medal in the medium/heavy division.
The grinning teenager said: “It feels good. I was always thinking about the gold but I am pleased to have won a medal.”
Girls coach Roberta Ferreira was ecstatic.
“The girls have improved a lot and this is a big step for the United Arab Emirates," she said.
"It’s the first time these kids have gone out of the country, but for 48 of them to go out there and fight and bring back 45 medals is amazing, it’s perfect; the girls and the boys train so, so hard.”
She wants the girls to use this success as a launch-pad for further glory and added: “I want to build a strong team to bring home more medals.”
Coach Alexandre Oliveira added: “It was an amazing step. Not only did they compete with the best kids in the world, they won the teenage division and were third in the junior division.”
In a statement, Al Hashemi described Abu Dhabi as the capital of jiu jitsu.
“Our kids created a massive impression,” he said.
“We are very proud of their achievements and we wish them a brighter future and even more success. They represented their country with honour and dignity.”
