ABU DHABI // Faisal Al Ketbi had to settle for a silver medal in the black belt 85-kilogram weight even as his UAE teammate Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi celebrated a hat-trick of titles in the Masters-1 brown belt on Saturday at the ninth Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Al Ketbi went down to Claudio Calasans 4-0 on points. Still it was a creditable effort from the Emirati in only his second year as a black belt. It was also a massive improvement from 12 months ago when he was eliminated in the first round.
Calasans was the favourite, having won gold in the World Pro three years in a row from 2010 to 2012, and the Brazilian was determined to win following the disappointment of losing in last year’s final.
“I [am] just happy to win my fourth gold and reclaim the 85kg title,” he said in front of a packed Ipic Arena. “I haven’t missed any competition in the past few years.
“However, I fell short of winning the gold. I wanted to end this disappointment and came hungrier at this year’s World Pro,” he added.
Calasans was aware of Al Ketbi being the local favourite and found him to be a strong fighter. “But I used all my experience and had the fight under my control,” he said, before adding he would “definitely be back to defend my title next year”.
As for Al Hammadi, it was his fifth gold medal at the World Pro following his successes in the inaugural year in 2009, and in 2011 in the blue belt category.
He completed a hat-trick in the Masters-1 brown belt 110kg weight and was up against another Brazilian Fabio Nascimento.
The Emirati claimed a 2-0 lead by passing the guard of his opponent and held on to that lead until the end to provide plenty of cheer to the spectators.
“It has been an exceptional season for me and I was confident,” Al Hammadi said. “I want to thank all my coaches and the federation for their support.
“I didn’t lose in any competition this season. To complete a hat-trick in the Masters-1 brown belt was my goal all season and now I have achieved it. I couldn’t have wished for a better ending to this season,” he added.
“I hope to receive the black belt after this win. It will be different challenge all together but I’ll keep working as hard as ever to repeat this season’s performance in the coming year.”
The Brazilians once again dominated the black belt divisions, winning 20 of the 24 gold medals that were up for grabs.
Americans Michael Musumei and Gianni Grippo bagged the black belt gold in the men’s 62kg and 69kg, respectively. Australian Bruno Alves won the 77kg final and Alan Nascimento of Sweden took the 85kg, both in the Masters 1.
The men’s black belt divisions were won by Rodnei Junior (56kg), Gabriel Arges (77kg), who finished second in the world ranking behind Jose Junior, Claudio Calasans (85kg), Felipe Pena (94kg) and Junior (110kg).
The Brazilian women also made a clean sweep of the five gold medals in the black belt.
Nathiely Melo de Jesus celebrated her world No 1 title with victory over compatriot Talita Nogueira in the 90kg weight. Ana Carolina Srour took the 70kg final, Beatriz Mesquita (62kg), Ana Alemcar (55kg) and Maysa Bastos (49kg).
Mesquita, 26, won her fourth gold medal and has been on the podium in every edition of the World Pro.
The Brazilian also finished fifth in the world ranking and said she would pursue for the No 1 position next year.
“I couldn’t take part in the Grand Slam events this year because of the travelling but will make it a point to fight for the world No 1 spot next year,” she said. “I live for jiu-jitsu and it will be a great honour for me to add that to my CV.
“I didn’t realise how important it was when this title was up for grabs,” she said. “For sure I will plan my schedule for next year when I get home.”
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