Abu Dhabi – 18th April 2013: UAE jiu-jitsu stars secured an incredible 18 medals including 6 gold in front of their passionate and vocal home support on day two of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014. Held under the Patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the free to attend event sees the world’s best fighters compete for the title of Best Professional Jiu-Jitsu fighter in their belt category.
Emirati Fighters Eid Reehan (male blue/purple belt, master 2, +100KG) and Taleb Saleh (male blue/purple belt, master 1, 70KG) set the tone early on securing a gold medal each for their home country. They were soon followed by Musabbeh Mohamed Khateri (male white belt, master 1, 70KG), Khaled Saleem (male white belt, adult +100KG), Ibrahim Abdalla Alnaqbi (male white belt, adult, 94KG) and Jaber Al Darai (male blue/purple belt, master 1, 82 KG) who received their medals from the top of the podium. Taking home silver medals for the UAE were Mohammed Darwish, Abdulaziz al Jaberi, Hamad Al Dhuhouri, Hassan Al Rumaithi, Obaid Khamis Alkaabi, while it was bronze medals for Shehab Ahmed Hawai, Mustafa Bashir Faraj, Abdulla Alshamsi, Saeed Al Khasooni, Ahmad Suhail Alketbi, Mohammed Naser Almusaabi and Khalfan Humaid. Shamsa Hassan took home the bronze medal in the female blue belt, adult, 60KG category.
Speaking after the second day of the adult competition, H.E. Abdulmunem Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union said: “Today has been yet another fantastic exhibition of our sport by some of the finest competitors in the world. The animated crowds are testament to the growing enthusiasm of Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE.”
“It was an especially proud day as our Emirati fighters collected their medals in front of packed stands, and with one more day to go, the championship is building to an incredible crescendo,” he added.
In its sixth edition under the theme ‘One World One Fight’, this year’s tournament will see over 2,200 of the best male, female and children fighters from 71 countries competing in an expanded championship programme which runs over five thrilling days this year.
Excitement has been building with thousands of fans from home and abroad expected to attend the free family event and enjoy the extraordinary display of talent, skill and physical excellence offered by the ultimate fight experience.
Visitors to the event will have the chance to enter a host of incredible contests and participate in a range of new activities created to entertain all. One of the best weeks of live sport and free fun will include: an expanded fan experience, an enhanced spectator programme that includes sponsor activities, family events and interactive stands and a raffle where all visitors will have the chance to win two cars from Al Tayer Motors, including a Jaguar XF 3.0SC Luxury and Land Rover LR2 HSE 2.0T and a chance to win a dream vacation courtesy of Etihad Holidays. The holiday package includes two return economy class tickets from Abu Dhabi to The Maldives and three nights’ accommodation at the Holiday Island Resort Maldives
A new addition this year are the online competitions for best photo and best video using the official Championship hashtag #WPJJC with cash prizes of AED 30,000. The best Instagram video of the tournament that garners the most likes will be awarded AED 10,000. On Twitter there will be two lucky winners of AED 10,000 each for the best picture in the FGB Arena with the most retweets.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship 2014 please visit – www.uaejj.com.
The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 is proudly supported by:
Official Partner: International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC)
Official Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Sports Channels and Super.ae
Diamond Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Premier Motors and Land Rover
Gold Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Education Council, Al Ain Water, Dolphin Energy Limited, Etihad Airways, Tawazun
Silver Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Bronze Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Masdar
