Faisal Al Ketbi hails teamwork after Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup hat-trick

Women’s team complete the double for Baniyas club

Faisal Al Ketbi of Baniyas, left, in the men's final of the President's Cup jiu-jitsu at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, on April 24, 2022. Baniyas made it a hat-trick of wins in the men's competition. Baniyas' women's team recorded a double at the event. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Faisal Al Ketbi of Baniyas, left, in the men's final of the President's Cup.

Tessa Al Shamsi of Al Wahda, left, grapples with Maitha Shraim of Baniyas in the women's final of the President's Cup.

Maitha Shraim of Baniyas after her victory over Tessa Al Shamsi of Al Wahda in the women's final of the President's Cup.

Lucas Lira of Baniyas after beating Abdullah Al Kubaisi of Al Wahda in the men's final of the President's Cup.

Lucas Lira of Baniyas, left, takes on Abdullah Al Kubaisi of Al Wahda in the men's final.

Zayed Al Ktheri of Baniyas, right, takes on Zayed Al Shamsi of Al Wahda in the men's final.

Lucas Lira of Baniyas, right, battles with Abdullah Al Kubaisi of Al Wahda in the men's final.

Balqees Abdulla of Palm Sports Team 777, right, takes on Shamma Al Blooshi of Sharjah Self Defence Sports Club in the women's bronze medal match in the President's Cup.

Mohamed Al Suwaidi of Baniyas after beating Sultan Al Hosani of Al Wahda in the men's final.

Faisal Al Ketbi of Baniyas, left, in the men's final of the President's Cup.

Mohamed Al Suwaidi of Baniyas, left, and Sultan Al Hosani of Al Wahda in the men's final.

Khalid Al Ali of Al Jazira, right, fights Theyab Al Nuaimi of Al Ain in the bronze medal match in the President's Cup.

Tessa Al Shamsi of Al Wahda, left, and Maitha Shraim of Baniyas in the women's final.

Balqees Abdulla of Palm Sports Team 777, right, takes on Shamma Al Blooshi of Sharjah Self Defence Sports Club in the bronze medal match.

Lucas Silva Barbosa of Baniyas after beating Saeed Al Kubaisi of Al Wahda in the men's final.

Faisal Al Ketbi led Baniyas to a hat-trick of Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup titles at Zayed Sports City on Sunday.

The nation’s most decorated jiu-jitsu star led from the front at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena by winning all his three fights against the Brazilians Guilherme Guedes of Sharjah (by submission), Catriel Rodrigues of Al Jazira (points) and Yatan Bueno of Al Wahda (points).

“The President’s Cup is the most prestigious domestic club title and we are absolutely delighted to win it for the third time,” Al Ketbi told The National.

“As athletes, we are really proud to participate in this competition, regardless of winning the title.

“Not only that, as a team event, it brings a new challenge, meaning we have to depend on our teammates to win in order to become champions. We can say the success is because of the teamwork.

“For this, we need to bring a different kind of strategy and need to prepare the best combination to achieve the desired results from the seven different weight categories.”

Al Ketbi said the format of the competition provides the national team coaches with the opportunity to scout for players in the different weight categories.

“This year’s competition was staged in three different age categories U16, U18 and adults, which [helps] the national team coaches to shortlist the prospective players in different age categories and weight divisions,” he added.

Al Ketbi also pointed out the challenges of fasting and competing during Ramadan.

“It is a big challenge as we had to compete against some of those who weren’t fasting during the day,” he said,

“We had to break fast around 6.45pm and then compete at 9pm. It was hard but we managed to keep ourselves in good shape to compete. Fasting is about disciplining ourselves to achieve our objective.

“Overall we enjoyed the two days of competition because we were the winners. We had best preparation, best strategy and the best way to recover from every fight to maintain the perfect record in this prestigious championship for three years in a row.”

Al Wahda and Al Ain finished second and third.

Baniyas completed the double with the women’s team emerging as winners above Wahda and Sharjah Self Defence Sports Club.

“Honestly, winning the championship was an incomparable feeling,” said Baniyas’ UAE women’s international Maitha Shraim, who overcame her national team colleague Hessa Al Shamsi, of Wahda.

Honestly, winning the championship was an incomparable feeling

Maitha Shraim - Baniyas

Abdulmunan Al Hashemi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation said having the competition under three age categories was a game-changer.

“It provided an opportunity for the players to shine and the team’s technical staff will have drawn great insights into their players,” he said.

Fahad Al Shamsi, general secretary of the UAEJJF, added: “The President's Cup has seen incredible success in the past three weeks and this event has established a strong platform for all jiu-jitsu enthusiasts across the emirates.

“The tournament was a big success this year, with more clubs, academies and players participating than ever before. We've seen a rise, too, in the number of families and parents encouraging their children to join in this sport.”