ABU DHABI // Ibrahim Al Maazmi stood out as the lone success for the UAE in the Masters white, blue, and purple belt categories on Day 2 of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Al Maazmi clinched his first gold medal in a discipline he took up only a year ago, edging out Daniyar Jumaniyazov of Kazakhstan in the Masters-2 white 62-kilogram final at the Ipic Arena on Wednesday.
“I won a silver at the Dubai Open and bronze at the Sharjah Open. And now to stand on the podium with a gold medal and the UAE flag in a world championship is like a dream come true,” Al Maazmi said.
“It was very tough fight but I cannot describe my feelings as a late starter and newcomer to the sport.”
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Al Maazmi’s success was built on a series of events increasingly familiar to many Emiratis on the mat.
“I use to be a long distance runner in my young days from 1989 and represented Al Shaab Club. I gave up athletics after about 10 years but never gave up on my fitness work,” he said.
“How I started jiu-jitsu was accidental. Classes are conducted at the Sharjah Club gym where I go for my fitness training and one day I dropped in just to see what was going on.
“One of my colleagues, Ibrahim Al Hosani, who happened to be a national-team player, asked me to try. I told him I wasn’t ready and didn’t have a kimono. He insisted I buy one immediately and join straightaway, which I did.”
Kazakhstan topped the medals table in the Masters division with 10 gold, ahead of Colombia (6) and Russia (4).
The central Asian nation arrived with a strong contingent of 100 players, below only Brazil (470), UAE (192), Colombia (104) and Russia (101).
The championship has drawn 1,540 men and 212 women from 88 countries competing in five different belt categories and with Dh2.5 million in prize money.
Yadgar Kassymov, winner of the Masters-1 purple belt 85kg final to secure gold in his second attempt at the Abu Dhabi World Pro, believes the number of players competing from his native Kazakhstan will only continue to rise as the martial arts popularity grows worldwide.
“Samba and wrestling are popular and traditional sports in central Asia but many are now taking up jiu-jitsu because of its popularity internationally and the transition being easier,” he said.
“It is my second time in the World Pro but the others have been coming quite regularly. This time the numbers have increased, as if we have come for the Olympics.”
Portugal won two golds with Jose Cunha and Paulo Pereira defeating Edman Jun-Al Pole of the Philippines and Emirati Obaid Khamis Al Kaabi respectively.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement for me to win Portugal’s second gold. This is something special,” Pereira said.
“I really had to work hard and this was my first time competing in Abu Dhabi, and it’s a great tournament. The standard of level here is very high, so I knew I had to work very hard.”
Ali Hemadeh, who has a day job as a veterinarian and trains in jiu-jitsu in the evening, clinched Lebanon’s solitary gold.
He overcame Diamantis Tsouparis of Greece in the Masters-2 blue belt 77kg final and had to settle for a bronze in the open weight behind Yann Sagot of France and Russia’s Andrey Pilipets.
“To return with two medals is a satisfying day’s work for me,” Hemadeh said.
“However, I came here because I love the sport and to soak in the atmosphere.”
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