|
Two of the UAE top’s jiu-jitsu world champions, Faisal Al Ketbi (Brown belt) and Yahia Al Hammadi (Purple belt), took the sport to new heights in the UAE capital with a special exhibition match on top of the iconic Capital Gate the world’s furthest leaning tower.
The sky-high stunt came ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013 & World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup, which is being held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The fight took place 160 metres off the ground on the tower’s helipad and was one of the highest free-standing exhibition fights to be staged in the sport. It launched in style the championship week, which runs at the adjacent Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), 10-13th April.
Speaking on the day, Abdulmunem Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation spoke of the importance of raising the profile of the sport among UAE youngsters,
“Staging high profile events and raising the prominence of the sport in Abu Dhabi and the wider region is essential in getting kids involved at all levels,” said Mr Hashemi.
“Through the continued support of the UAE government, we are creating pathways for development in the sport, and the results of this will be on display during the championship as many of the top UAE fighters line up against the world’s best.”
Now celebrating its fifth year, the free-to-spectator championship returns to Abu Dhabi with organisers, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, promising a bigger and better family event than ever before, feature a host of incredible head-to-head contests and a range of new activities for dedicated fans and sport newcomers.
Building on the success of previous years and Abu Dhabi’s emergence as global capital for Jiu-Jitsu, this year’s championships sees elite male and female fighters from around 50 different countries, including the UAE, Australia, Brazil, China, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea and USA, all competing for title of ‘World Champion’ and an increased cash prize of AED 1.45 million (US$390,000).
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), a silver sponsor of the event which co-organised the Capital Gate exhibition match, said that hosting major events in the capital was critical in establishing Abu Dhabi as a sporting centre of excellence.
“Abu Dhabi has taken impressive strides to position itself as a world-class sporting destination and the Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship complements a near-year round stable of leading high profile events in golf, sailing, motor racing, tennis and triathlon, which continue to be a major draw for international visitors and go a long way to enriching and inspiring the local community,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Director of Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013 is proudly supported by the following sponsors: Diamond Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Police and ADNOC. Gold Sponsors: Tawazun, Dolphin Energy, Premier Motors, Urban Planning Council (UPC); Sliver Sponsor: TCA Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Sports TV, the exclusive host broadcaster of the event.
For more information please visit www.uaejj.com<http://www.uaejj.com/>
|
New
Review
Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
