Ketbi lights up UAE spirits

Faisal al-Ketbi (C) Dhabi - Arab Today Held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the conclusion of the championship saw award-winning displays of athleticism as the top Jiu–Jitsu fighters from around the world competed for the title of best professional jiu-jitsu fighter in their belt category. UAE Jiu-Jitsu fighters carried on the tradition of stunning local crowds as they secured a World Championship Belt in the male brown belt adult open weight category from a stunning performance by Faisal Al Ketbi on the final day of Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014. Silver medal performances from Mohammed Darwish and Shefaa Moosa Hassan in the male and female white belt adult open weight category also added to the UAE's overall medal count. Held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the conclusion of the championship saw award-winning displays of athleticism as the top Jiu–Jitsu fighters from around the world competed for the title of best professional jiu-jitsu fighter in their belt category. New champions were crowned as the battle for a belt commenced in the centre of the Arena. It was no surprise as the powerful Gabriela Garcia from Brazil fought off America's Janni Larsson to earn the title of World's Best Professional Jiu-Jitsu Fighter in the female brown black belt adult open weight category. It was another thrilling fight as two Brazilian fighters grappled until finally Marcos Almeida reigned supreme over Rodolfo Vieira for the title World's Best Professional Jiu-Jitsu Fighter in the male black belt adult open weight category. Roars from the crowd could be heard outside of FGB Arena as UAE's Al Ketbi challenged Brazil's Marcio Andre to win the male brown belt open weight category, bringing the title home to the UAE. In attendance to watch his crowning fight was General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who personally congratulated Faisal after the win. Starting off the final matches was a heroic fight in the white belt category with Amelia Liu from Great Brittan winning her division. Fabio Alano from Brazil took home the highest honour in the male white belt adult open weight category. Brazil's success continued with Pamela Ventura taking home a win in the female blue belt adult open weight category along with fellow countrymen Paulo Costa who won the male blue belt adult open weight category. The Purple Belt Championship matches saw exhilarating performances from Brazilian athletes Tayane Araujo and Nicholas Meregali who won their respective categories in the purple belt open weight matches. Commenting on the final day of the adult competition, Abdulmunem Al Hashemi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and president of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union said: "It has been a fantastic five days of competition starting with the World Jiu-Jitsu Children's Cup and concluding with the adult competition. We've had over 2,200 fighters from 71 countries participate this year, with each fighter delivering their best performance on the mat. Their exemplary display of our sport only continues to build Jiu-Jitsu in the region and across the world. I congratulate all of the fighters who competed during this year's Championship. We are especially proud of our UAE athletes who have trained and committed themselves to the sport over the years, many of whom were rewarded with fantastic victories over the course of the Championship. With such a great turnout this year, we can only look forward to what 2015 will hold.” Source: Khaleej Times