If you have nothing planned for the next three days then you may want to consider attending the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Cup tournament at First Gulf Bank Arena, Zayed Sports City.
You probably have never watched or even heard of the sport. But it’s proving to be very popular and with more than 1,500 contestants from white to black belts in the UAE capital, the popularity of the sport speaks for itself.
Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport and martial art that focuses on ground fighting, minimum power and maximum technique to beat your competitor.
The word Jiu-Jitsu is a combination of two Japanese words, Jiu and Jitsu. The combined word means the ‘Gentle Art’. Started more than 250 decades ago in Asia, the sport is now popular in many countries around the world.
Today, the trend has continued and the first day of the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Cup tournament on Wednesday attracted a great number of spectators with 600 contestants competing in the boy’s 10-12 age group.
The attendance numbers will surely increase for the next three days with the juniors, ladies and men’s titles up for grabs.
Entrance is free for all spectators and there are prizes to win so apart from watching the grappling sport, that’s another reason to attend.
For instance, UAE’s Zayed Saleh Al Kurbi won a bronze medal in the Yellow/Orange 38.5kg weight division. “I started only last year and someday I want to turn professional,” the 14-year-old said.
“There are a lot of boys in training and they all enjoy the sport because it is given a lot of prominence,” he added.
Al Kurbi’s success will be one of many as today more than 200 contestants will be in action in various boys and girls categories.
Friday will see 180 contestants in the No-Gi event, which means contestants do not wear the traditional ‘kimono’ that is usually worn in the Gi category. The strategy behind No-Gi will see contestants trying to control an opponent by gripping the body’s natural handles: the neck, the wrist, the elbow, the knee or the hips with the aim of scoring points, rather than using the grip of the ‘kimono’.
On Saturday, you will be able to witness the main Gi event where 260 entries are already confirmed including four Emiratis with a total cash prize of $10,000 (Dh37,000).
For the first time a competition will be staged at the First Gulf Bank Arena which is perfect venue for the tournament. Fahad Ali, the chief executive of the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation, said: “We are trying to improve the facilities all round because of the remarkable increase in the number of participants.”
“The numbers have kept increasing every passing year and we are inundated with the demand for more competitions. The sport is fast spreading across the Middle East and now enjoying popularity all over Asia.
“This competition alone has drawn more than 1,000 school children, both Emiratis and expatriates. This is the result of the sport being included in the curriculum of the local schools. So, good times are ahead for the sport,” he added.
“We want to encourage people to come and watch and while they enjoy the action on the mat, they can also win valuable prizes from the raffles drawn on the free entry tickets over all four days,” he said.
If you want to see some fun grappling action, come along to the First Gulf Bank Arena (adjoining the Abu Dhabi international tennis complex) with your family and friends.
You never know but you may want to give the sport a try after attending!
Thursday’s action commences at 11.00, while Friday begins at 15:00. Saturday’s matches starts 11:00.
WHAT: Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Tournament.
WHEN: Now until Saturday. Thursday starts at11:00, Friday begins at 15:00 and Saturday at 11:00.
COST: Free entry for spectators.
Sport360 VERDICT: The tournament will see a variety of people competing from different nationalities and ages. It’s the fourth time the championship has been held and spectators will enjoy the entertaining matches.
CONTACT: www.uaejj.com
