'May the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu guide you': UAE astronaut wishes Grand Slam participants luck from space

Al Neyadi shared a six-minute video of him floating in microgravity in blue kimono –making him the first person to practise the martial art in space

by

Angel Tesorero

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Published: Fri 5 May 2023, 8:16 PM

Participants at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour 2022-2023 got a big shoutout from space.

Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, who is now in the third month of his space mission, sent a beautiful message to Jiu-Jitsu athletes from International Space Station (ISS).


AlNeyadi took to Twitter on Friday to show his photo from the orbiting ISS, proudly wearing the black commemorative tournament t-shirt.

He wrote the caption: “I took this picture a few weeks ago in anticipation of the finale of #AbuDhabiGrandSlam, which begins today.


“Best of luck to all the participants! I wish I was there with you. May the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu guide you as it has guided me.”

Al Neyadi had also shared a six-minute video of him floating in microgravity in blue kimono –making him the first person to practise jiu-jitsu in space.

In the video, he bows and greets ‘Oss!’ (an enunciation uttered by Jiu-Jitsu athletes as a show of respect, commitment and trust).

“Discipline, focus, and adaptability I gained from Jiu Jitsu have been invaluable to me on the ISS. Even in microgravity, the moves and postures I learned on Earth serve me well up here,” said AlNeyadi, a great Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast who has been practising the sport for almost a decade.

Flexibility, having good physical strength and being able to focus mentally for long periods are the virtues and attributes AlNeyadi have learned from the popular martial arts.

The final leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour 2022-2023 (ADGS - Abu Dhabi) is taking place at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) and Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro (AJP) are jointly organising the event that offers a prize money of $1,525,000.

The UAE players have produced some great results in recent years, including their three consecutive Asian Championship title wins.

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