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THE GULF TODAY
Jiu-Jitsu event begins
FROM OUR ABU DHABI BUREAU
THE Asian Jiu-Jitsu Super Cup championship got underway on Friday at the UAE Wrestling, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Federation hall in Abu Dhabi.
It has drawn 175 fighters from 25 countries.
The two-day, event is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Zayed Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the chairman of the competition is Lt Gen. Mohamed Hilal Al Kaabi, with Brazilian Carlos Santos as the event-organiser. The event is another chance for international and Emirates jiu-jitsu fighters to prepare themselves for the biggest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event ever -the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2010 -- that is also organized by Carlos Santos and approved by Federation International Jiu-Jitsu Association.

Three-time world champion Santos who has been in Abu Dhabi for the last eight years said Jiu Jitu has gained momentum and there are many Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts in this part of the world. "It has been a year of great achievements for Jiu Jitsu in the emirate. The martial art is being taught from school level. "The 'school jitsu project', which now comprises 42 schools and 14,000 children, are undergoing Jiu-Jitsu training in Abu Dhabi. The capital has arguably established itself as the capital of professional Jiu-Jitsu with the inaugural Mundial Pro being a huge success and the 2010 trials have already begun," said Santos who is also the head coach of the Emirates Team.