Carlos Santos presents a memento to Major General Mohammad Hilal Al Ka'abi at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.
gulf news
Second international Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Cup begins today
Staff Report
Abu Dhabi: The second Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Cup starts today with over 145 fighters in the fray for the $20,000 event at the Armed Forces Officers Club.
The two-day championship will see competitions in nine different weight categories.
Major General Mohammad Hilal Al Ka'abi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces and chairman of the organising committee, said the sport had registered tremendous growth in the UAE over the last few years.
"This is the first time the Armed Forces Officers Club will be staging this event. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is now being practised in many parts of the UAE and tournaments are being held in the capital, Dubai and Al Ain," he said.
Major General Al Ka'abi also said that a championship of either Asian or world level will be held soon in the capital.
Former Brazilian and world champion Carlos Santos, head coach of the Emirates team, is the man behind the progress of the sport in the UAE.
"Apart from being a good recreational sport, BJJ competitions are now very popular," he said.
Competitions will be held in the 63kg, 69kg, 75kg, 81kg, 87kg, 93kg, 99kg, over 99kg and the open division respectively.
The championship is sponsored and hosted by the Armed Forces Officers' Club with co-sponsors being Caracal, Adco, Abu Haleeqa, Al Noor Hospital and Emirates Synaxis Holding.
Former Brazilian and world champion Carlos Santos, head coach of the Emirates team, is the man behind the progress of the sport in the UAE.
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