UAE Falcons' dream run continues in Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Abu Dhabi - Gold medals for Omar Al Fadhli and Zayed Alkatheeri in the under 62kg and 56kg categories

The UAE Falcons, the country's national Jiu-Jitsu team, sit atop the medals table at the 4th Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship after an impressive medal haul on the final day of men's competition in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, a press release said.
Gold medals for Omar Al Fadhli and Zayed Alkatheeri in the under 62kg and 56kg categories respectively, coupled with Ali Al Ghaithi's bronze in the under 56kg division, elevated the UAE Falcons to the summit of the medals table - with three gold and four bronze in total - after the penultimate day of competition.
Spectacular performances by Al Fadhli and Alkatheeri highlighted the increasing prowess of a youthful UAE Falcons team that is ready to carry the national flag into the 2022 Asian Games in China.
After his first-round opponent withdrew, Alkatheeri defeated two opponents from the Philippines and one from Thailand on his march to gold, while Al Fadhli defeated three Mongolian rivals and one opponent from Japan to top his division. Al Fadhli also proved to be the king of subjugation by making three of his opponents tap-out in under two minutes.
Al Fadhli insisted his achievement highlighted the success of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation's domestic programmes and the astute leadership of chairman Abdul Moneim Al Hashemi for creating an environment where the UAE Falcons can perform at the highest level internationally.
"My focus was not purely on winning the gold, I simply wanted to honour my country in this huge continental sports forum," said Al Fadhli. "Winning gold enhances my desire to keep competing on a global level, but the real pleasure is seeing the UAE flag raised higher than all others in this competition."
Commenting on his triumph, Alkatheeri added: "This was my first continental championship, so my expectations were low. My goal was to train hard and give 100 percent against strong competitors, but I honestly did not expect to win gold. I had no experience, but I wasn't afraid of the challenge."