ABU DHABI // Mansour Mohamed Al Ketbi dedicated his jiu-jitsu gold medal from this weekend’s Martyrs Championships to his older brother Jassim, who is expected to return next week from serving in Yemen.
Mansour secured gold in the 56-kilogramme blue belt category, defeating Salem Khalifa Al Kaabi in the final at the Ipic Arena at Zayed Sports City.
The two-day event, organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, drew drew more than 1,900 boys and girls from around the country.
“I have won a few medals in the local competitions previously, but this one is special and is for my older brother,” said the Grade 11 pupil from Ali bin Abu Thalib School in Al Ain. “My emotions were high each time I got on to the mat for a fight. I want to show him the medal that I won for him.
“It is not only my brother but my prayers are for everyone who is in the military services and serving in Yemen.”
Mansour, 16, is the youngest of nine boys and wishes to follow his older sibling into military service. Some of the family members of the servicemen killed in Yemen were present during the two days of competition.
“He is the only one in the services out of all the boys,” Mansour said. “I have also two uncles serving in the war zone.”
Silver medallist said the Martyrs Championship allowed him to show solidarity with countrymen serving in Yemen.
“I want to pursue on career in engineering but participating in this event was for a noble cause,” Salem said. “The mood of every participant in this competition was different during this event.
“All of us wanted to show our solidarity and the love for our brothers in the services.”
Hamad Shadeeb, 14, made a successful return a year after suffering a broken leg in a road accident.
He was the winner in the 50kg grey belt, winning both his semi-final and final bouts by submission.
“I’m glad to win my fourth gold medal after the injury,” he said. “Like most of the Emirati participants, I also wanted to show my patriotism to the land of my birth.
“My father retired from the military and I have the same sentiment of all those who took part in this competition. When I grow up my ambition is also to join the services and serve my country.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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