PRESALE: GRACIEMAG 147
Jiu-Jitsu for the joy of the royal family
During the first two days of May, the first World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup took place in Abu Dhabi. GRACIEMAG disembarked in Abu Dhabi along with a cast of notable aces of world Jiu-Jitsu. There were Marcelo Garcia, Rafael Lovato Jr., Fabio Gurgel, Alexandre de Souza, Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”, Braulio Estima, Rafael and Guilherme Mendes and many others. After the disputes were all done, though, it was Tarsis Humphreys who shone the most, with gold in the absolute black belt category, in his category and 14 thousand dollars in his pocket. But the WPJJC was much more than just that.
40 years ago, Abu Dhabi was nothing more than a fishing village. Four decades on, the capital of the United Arab Emirates could be called the new jewel of Arabia. Oil money brought with it development that meshed perfectly with Middle Eastern tradition. The harmony prevalent in the UAE is also the result of a royal family illuminated and attentive to what best the world has to offer without forsaking traditional customs.
Among these benefices is Jiu-Jitsu, introduced to the country in 1997. In 2009, we reach the pinnacle. During the first two days of May, the first World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup took place in Abu Dhabi. “It’s a dream come true,” in the words of the event’s organizer, Carlao Santos, a black belt who seven years ago went to teach the royal family and now leads an unprecedented endeavor to spread Jiu-Jitsu to the masses, with class taught to over three thousand children in schools, for example.
GRACIEMAG disembarked in Abu Dhabi along with a cast of notable aces of world Jiu-Jitsu. There were Marcelo Garcia, Rafael Lovato Jr., Fabio Gurgel, Alexandre de Souza, Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”, Braulio Estima, Rafael and Guilherme Mendes and many others. After the disputes were all done, though, it was Tarsis Humphreys who shone the most, with gold in the absolute black belt category, in his category and 14 thousand dollars in his pocket. But the WPJJC was much more than just that. It was held at a first-rate venue where tennis stars Federer and Nadal once performed; present was Sheikh Mohammed, prince of Abu Dhabi, in the pulpit of honor and lots of emotions from the Middle Eastern champions. All that you will find in over 15 illustrated pages with a battery of images of the bouts as well as beautiful Abu Dhabi and its unique mix of Middle Eastern tradition and ultra-modernity.
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