Abu Dhabi sets stage for 9,000 Jiu-Jitsu fighters

Abu Dhabi - The 13-day championship starts on April 16 at Zayed Sports City

With more than 9,000 athletes, bigger prize money and newer elements, the 10th edition of Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is set to be the largest ever and also consolidate Abu Dhabi's status as the world capital of Jiu-Jitsu.
The 13-day championship starts on April 16 at Zayed Sports City. There will be 6,400 athletes on the mat during the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Festival from April 16 to 21. About 1,500 athletes will be in fray in the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship on April 22 and 23, and another 1,500 registered for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship to be held between April 24 and 28.
Among the 9,000 fighters, there will be the likes of Adolf Kaure and Ruben Lemos from Africa, Youngam Noh and Joao Carlos from Asia, Krzysztof Flak and Adam Rardzinski from Europe, Matthew Leighton and Jonathan Satava from North America, Lachlan Giles and Ben Hodgkinson from Australia, and Igor Silva and Jose Lima from South America. There will also be local talent - world champion Faisal Al Ketbi, members of the national team Taleb Al Kerbi, Obaid Al Kaabi, Mosbeh Al Katheri, Abdulla Al Jonaibi, Omar Al Mesmari, Mohammed Al Ameri, Hamdan Al Baloushi, Sultan Al Ali, Mariam Al Ameri, Zahraa Al Hashemi, along with former champion Khalifa Mohammad taking part in the Para Jiu-Jitsu championship. The athletes will vie for a total cash prize of Dh4 million.
Abdelmonem Al Hashemi, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation chairman, Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union president and Jiu-Jitsu International Federation senior vice president thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for continued support of sports in general and jiu-jitsu in particular.
"Jiu Jitsu represents a unique experience that highlights the presence of various sports in the UAE," he said during a press conference on Tuesday.
UAEJJF chief executive Fahad Ali Al Shamsi said the Championship is one of the largest sports events in the world and has become the most important international event for the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council secretary general Aref Al Awani said the championship is a confirmation of Abu Dhabi's international status as the capital for the sport.
Also, the Ministry of the Interior and UAEJJF signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement. The ministry will sponsor all UAEJJF local championships, including Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championships.
As an added element there's King of Mats, taking place on April 24. Champions of the last nine editions will compete for the title and the chance to win prizes up to $200,000. Then there is the Jiu-Jitsu school programme and 'Champion Within' initiative to motivate the youth.
The championship will conclude with the World Jiu-Jitsu Awards on April 29.