The jiu-jitsu bandwagon is back in the capital city for the Abu Dhabi Open Cup following the successful staging of competitions in Dubai, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
The event in Abu Dhabi will be run over two days: the opening day for No-Gi and the next day with Gi at the FGB Arena at the Zayed Sport on Friday and Saturday starting at 2pm and 11am respectively.
One of the features of the Abu Dhabi Cup this year is the strong 18-member contingent from Japan who arrived on the invitation of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
“The delegation from Japan is here to foster the good relationship and share our experience to spread the sport around Asia,” said Fahad Al Shamsi, chief executive of the UAEJJF and general secretary of the Jiu-itsu Asian Union.
The visiting squad comprise of five black belts, six Brown belts and seven Purple.
There are 159 entries in the No-Gi and 230 in the Gi competition made up of both Emiratis and expatriates and competitors from abroad, altogether representing 37 countries and the most notable are from Brazil, Russia and Kuwait, aside from the Japanese contingent.
The competition has also drawn the cream of the Emiratis, including 33 from the national team in the No-Gi and 53 on the second day.
