ABU DHABI // The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Challenge Championship provided the perfect build-up for Hamoud Yaser Al Kaabi and Saeed Ahmed Al Haj ahead of their trip to Spain.
The Emirati teenagers are part of the 10-member UAE national team preparing for the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation’s World Championships for Juniors Under 21 in Madrid from March 18 to 20.
Al Kaabi, 16, extended his winning streak to six gold medals for the season and his Al Ain Club teammate Saeed, also 16, took his tally to 11 titles over two seasons, a stretch that includes a gold each for them at the Orleans Youth Championships in Paris last month.
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“This season has been excellent for me so far, and I’m feeling great travelling with the national team after such an overwhelming record,” Hamoud said.
“I think I’m in good shape both physically and mentally to take the winning momentum forward. Of course, in Madrid I expect the bar to be raised as I may have to face older opponents.
“On the other hand, that will be good for my development as I’m also using this event as a trial ahead of the Abu Dhabi Kids World Championships in April.”
Hamoud wants to add a fourth gold at the Abu Dhabi event after winning titles in grey, yellow and orange belt categories. He won a silver in the white belt in his first year, in 2012.
“I want to win gold in the blue belt,” he said.
“That’s my next goal after returning from Madrid.”
Saeed, who has won three gold medals over the past three Kids Championships, has similar objectives.
The tournament saw those who had qualified through the trials held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia vying for honours.
Hamoud got the better of Ali Abdulrahman Jenaibi in the blue belt 71.5-kilogramme final and Saeed defeated Mansoor Hareb Al Neyadi to claim the blue belt 76.5kg division in the UAE Challenge Championship at the capital’s Ipic Arena.
In the female junior categories, the Al Hanaei sisters from Al Ain Maha, Mahra and Hana, all emerged champions in their categories.
Maha, who is a member of the UAE junior national team, overcame Rouda Al Mazrouei in the blue belt 56.5kg, Mahra bagged the green belt 50.5kg gold. Hana took the grey belt 34.5kg title.
The Challenge Championship’s second round is scheduled to take place in two weeks’ time in Al Ain, and will also serve as trials for the Emiratis to participate in the Abu Dhabi Kids World and the World Professional Championships.
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