ABU DHABI // More than 7,000 martial artists from over 100 countries will descend on the Ipic Arena for a jiu-jitsu extravaganza until April 23.
First to get on the mat on Monday are the girls from ages five to 17. They will be competing in the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival over two days and more than 1,600 have entered in the category.
A majority of them are Emiratis and graduates from the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s hugely successful Schools Jiu-Jitsu Programme, which has been running for 10 years.
“We are celebrating the ongoing success of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship and looking ahead to the future,” Abdulmunam Al Hashmi, the chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), said.
“Our aim is to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come through the teachings of jiu-jitsu and this championship.
“The championship is not just for the players and fans of jiu-jitsu but is truly an event for every member of the family with activities and workshops throughout the event.
“This edition of the championship is going to be the biggest and best yet, not only for the Federation itself but for players and spectators alike.”
According to Al Hashmi, there will be a wide range of activities and games for families in the Ipic Fan Zone.
There will also be prizes given away during daily raffle draws on the free-entry tickets that include a Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
With girls as young as five competing, the first two days of the event are set to draw parents and families to fill up the arena to watch their children in action.
“We want to provide everyone with a winning opportunity,” said Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, the chief executive officer of the UAEJJF.
“When you have more than 70,000 children coming out from our school programme, we need to provide them with competitions.
“This number is set to grow and the bar raised every passing year.”
Up for grabs in the two-week long event are 360 gold medals and Dh3 million in prize funds in the festival that culminates with the ninth staging of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship from April 18 to 22.
Jose Junior, the Abu Dhabi based Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, is determined to defend his world No 1 ranking in the black belt category from compatriot Gabriel Arges.
Junior got the better of Arges in their last meeting in the Grand Slam London last month and a re-match in Abu Dhabi will be the climax.
Additionally, the local heroes of the national UAE Jiu-Jitsu team set to challenge the foreign contingent are Faisal Al Ketbi, Yahya Mansour Al Hammadi, Mohamed Al Qubaisi, Dhahi Al Thumairi, Zayed Al Mansoori, Taleb Al Kirbi and Ibraheem Al Hosani.
The festival also provides competitions for members of the UAEJJF and loyalty card holders under the age of 18, plus white belts and those with disabilities and special needs.
SCHEDULE
Monday:
11am to 4pm: Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World Festival for girls
Tuesday:
11am to 4pm: Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World Festival for girls
Wednesday:
11am to 4pm: Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World Festival for boys
Thursday:
11am to 4pm: Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World Festival for boys
Friday:
10.30am to 5pm: Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival White belt adult and Masters. Abu Dhabi World Parajiu-jitsu Festival.
Saturday:
10.30am to 5pm: Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival Female Masters and Male Masters 3 and 4.
April 16:
11am to 5pm: Abu Dhabi World Youth Championship (girls)
April 17:
11am to 5pm: Abu Dhabi World Youth Championship (boys)
April 18 to 22:
11am to 6pm: Ninth Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship
apassela@thenational.ae
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