Sport
Martial Arts
Published: 18/12/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)
Moosa emerges champion
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Abu Dhabi: Hassan Moosa, representing Team Emirates emerged as the overall champion in the 3rd Emirates Cup Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship which ended on Saturday at the UAE Judo and Wrestling Federation arena here.
The Tunisian first won the 78-kg category final and later added the Open title to emerge as the best in the three-day event.
Moosa defeated the UAE's Eid Rehan by two points to nil to win the Open category. Earlier, in the 78-kg final, Moosa got the better of another UAE fighter Swaidan Al Dahri.
The UAE had a good haul of medals as they made a clean sweep of Under-92 and Under-99 weight categories.
Mirza shines
In the super fight, Zed Mirza of Jordan got the better of Bahrain's Yann Chiffoleau to earn the $1,200 first prize while the runner-up earned $500.
The two-day championship was held under the patronage of Shaikh Zayed Bin Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with total prize money of Dh55,000 on offer for the eight categories.
Major General Mohammad Hilal Al Ka'abi, Deputy Chief of Staff and president of the UAE Athletic Federation, said the standard of competitions was very good. "It is good to see so many UAE nationals participating."
Mohammad Bin Thaloob, UAE Judo and Wrestling Federation President, said it was an encouraging trend as the event got bigger.
"With many youngsters keeping themselves occupied in this martial art, it is not only a healthy pastime but a good sporting discipline," said Bin Thaloob.
"The championship attracted good fighters from other countries," said the winner Moosa, who is the judo coach of the Emirates team. Event manager Santos Carlos said the Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Cup will be held on May 4 and 5, 2007.
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