ABU DHABI // Lenir Tavares returned to competition after an 11-year absence to win gold in the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Masters at the Zayed Sports City’s Ipic Arena on Saturday.
The Brazilian, 42, is employed as a jiu-jitsu instructor at the UAE Armed Forces in Al Ain and showed glimpses of her skills to beat compatriot Luciana Kusaka in the black belt Masters 70-kilogramme final.
“I don’t have much time to compete because of my work schedule but was coaxed by my colleagues,” Tavares said.
“And now that I have returned and won a gold, I want to train even harder for next year. I always kept myself in good shape, which is important as a coach.
“Yet you need to train more regularly if you want to compete. I spent more than two months preparing for this competition. However, I felt I need to do more if I have to compete again.”
Tavares has been working with the UAE Armed Forces for the past three years and previously competed in the Brazilian national championship.
“That was a long time ago,” she said. “I last won a competition in Brazil 13 years ago but gave up completely to concentrate on my work as a coach. The Masters event is a good thing for the senior athletes like us. It encourages us to be competitive.”
Pedro Duarte, 42, another Brazilian employed by the UAE Armed Forces in Abu Dhabi, edged out compatriot Adrian Domingues in the Masters-3 black belt 110kg weight.
“We were the only two fighters in the category and had to meet each other three times,” Duarte said.
“I lost the first fight and won the next two. He was leading in the final but I was fortunate to score off a sweep in the final minute to win 4-2 on points.
“I have lots of respect for my opponent. He’s 50 and still competing at this level. I have known him from the younger days. I have been competing in the Masters in every competition in Abu Dhabi since the last three years.”
Omar Al Mesmarti, a silver medallist at the Grand Slam London in March, drew on all his experience to get the better of fellow Emirati Ahmed Al Raeesi in the Masters-1 white belt 77kg final.
“The medal fight was very tough. He was a strong opponent and I won by points,” said Al Mesmari, who also won a silver at the Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro and bronze at the Grand Slam Los Angeles.
“I have been practicing jiu-jitsu for over a year with the Army after becoming attracted to the training sessions. I’m a late starter in the sport but enjoying a lot of success. I love this.”
Khalid Farhan Mubarak of the UAE Navy claimed his first gold after taking up the sport last year. He overcame fellow Emirati Rashed Hassan Al Hamoudi in the Masters-2 white belt 77kg.
“To win my first medal is a wonderful achievement for me as a beginner,” Mubarak said. “In jiu-jitsu, there is an opportunity to win at every level and every age group. I’m enjoying being in the spotlight!”
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