ABU DHABI // The UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) announced the return of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour 2016/17 on Sunday.
The grand slam will be held in five international host cities around the world: Los Angeles, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Abu Dhabi and London.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam is open to all nationalities, the medalists will be listed in the jiu-jitsu world rankings and cash prizes are awarded for the top athletes of each division. Top ranked competitors will receive huge prizes at the end of the season according to the UAEJJF World Ranking.
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“We are inspired by the vision of our leadership, especially His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to advance sports and transform the UAE into a world leader in jiu-jitsu and sports in general,” Chairman of the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi said.
“With the incredible success of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam globally last year, we have received a lot of requests from various federations and countries from around the world to stage the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in their country. This shows that we are on the right track.
“However we have decided to add a fifth hosting city to the Grand Slam this year, which will be in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Our strategic plans for 2017/18 are in process too and we aim to build a sustainable global sport championship product, not just events.
Our partnerships with key partners and sponsors will contribute to the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in the coming years,” H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi said.
The UAEJJF’s vision is to be the leading symbol of jiu-jitsu in the world through the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour and hopes to once again attract the world’s top jiu-jitsu athletes.
According to the UAEJJF, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour will be broadcasted live by over 10 major TV networks around the world including USA & North America, Brazil, Colombia, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, China, Japan and Asia.
“I am very happy to have competed in Abu Dhabi Grand Slam last year,” Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt & Abu Dhabi Grand Slam champion Erberth Santos said.
“I was in Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, London and Tokyo, all four of them. I won in my division in all four events as well. This gave me a boost in the ranks and I liked fighting most in the first edition, because it really felt like the World Pro in Abu Dhabi.
“I look forward to participating again this year, I am excited that they have added another event in Abu Dhabi. This is great for us athletes, an event that pays well and everything is organized in the most professional way.”
Faisal Al Ketbi, an Emirati jiu-jitsu black belt and champion, said: “Thank you to His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for developing the sport of jiu-jitsu in Abu Dhabi and around the world.
“I am ready and excited and so are my team mates from the UAE.”
Registrations are now open and for more information, visit www.uaejjf.org
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour Calendar 2016/17
September 3-4, 2016 - Los Angeles, USA [LA Conventional Center]
October 23, 2016 - Tokyo, Japan [Big Turtle Fukaya]
November 12-13, 2016 - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil [HSBC Arena]
January 13-14, 2017 - Abu Dhabi, UAE [IPIC Arena]
March 18, 2017 - London, UK [Excel London]
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