Abu Dhabi: Brazilian Rodolfo Vieira ‘choked' his countryman Ruben Charles to win the coveted Black Belt Open class and complete a memorable triple triumph in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship here yesterday.
Vieira, who on Friday won the No-Gi Absolute Class, was in great form yesterday when he wrapped up the 92kg Black Belt category with an easy 15-0 win over Bruno Cruz.
Later in the featured Open Class which carried a prize of $30,000 (Dh110,177) plus the belt, Vieira dominated and when leading 8-0 he choked his opponent Charles to complete a dream triple win here.
"It is great to come here and finish with three titles. This event has helped me and will make me much stronger for the World Championship to be held in Los Angeles in June," Vieira said.
Earlier, a near-packed hall at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre saw a series of finals in various categories with the UAE also chipping in with a title.
Abdullah Ahmad Al Ketbi defeated Noel Ang in the 80kg plus category of the Veteran's event to keep UAE's flag flying high while Yahya Mansour and Faisal Al Ketbi finished with bronze medals in the 92kg Purple belt categories after losing their semi-final bouts. Three-time world champions and defending champion Gabrielle Gracia of Brazil got the better of her arch-rival Penny Thomas of South Africa to win the women's over 63kg title.
Firm grip
"This is the fourth time we have met and I was lucky that I got a firm grip early in the bout," said Garcia adding that she expected to meet Penny again in the World Cup final.
Other winners in the Black Belt category: were Augusto Mendes (65kg), Leandro dos Nascimento (74kg), Claudio Camargo Jr (83kg), Lucio Rodrigues (+92kg) and Luanna Moraes (women's 63kg).
