Abu Dhabi: In the absence of UAE’s star men Faisal Al Ketbi and Yahya Mansour Al Hammadi, the responsibility has fallen on youngster Omar Al Fadhli to deliver and further establish himself as one of the emerging stars at the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam starting at Mubadala Arena on Friday.
The 17-year-old had taken giant strides after winning gold in Turkmenistan at the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games last year. Al Fadhli, who was the youngest to represent the UAE national team, for his tremendous run of form was awarded the juvenile UAE’s ‘Sportsman of the Year’ at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award on Wednesday.
“It was a great honour for me and for Jiu-Jitsu to clinch the award. It couldn’t have come at a better time as it has motivated me further to do well in Abu Dhabi,” said Al Fadhli, who also hailed the work done by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
“The sport is comparatively new to the UAE but the achievements have been incredible. Jiu-jitsu has been included in the 2018 Asian Games for the first time and is bidding for a slot in the 2024 Olympics. I wish I will have the good fortune of being a part of these historic occasions,” said Al Fadhli, who will be making his maiden appearance in the blue belt adult 62kg weight at the Grand Slam.
This season, Al Fadhli has already won six gold medals in as many competitions he has participated in but now having graduated to the adult category, it will be a completely different test.
“It is going to test me for sure but I’m upbeat for the contest. All I can say is, I will try to do my best to win a medal,” said a confident Al Fadhli.
Zayed Al Mansoori, who returned with a silver from Turkmenistan, along with bronze medallists Obaid Al Nuaimi and Said Al Mazroui are the other medal hopes for the UAE. Also keep a close watch on the progress of Humaid Al Kaabi, Talib Al Kirbi and Mohammed Al Qubaisi.
In the women’s section, the focus will be once again on the Al Hanaei sisters Maha, Mahra and Hana. Though this is familiar territory for the three, 18-year-old Maha will be putting herself to test for the first time in the purple belt adult category. Mahra, 16, and Hana, 14, will be looking to clinch medals in the juvenile blue belt 57kg and junior yellow belt 44kg categories respectively.
“It will be a different experience for me competing in the purple belt and it will be tough for me. I have worked hard and I have good level to compete against some of the best,” said Maha.
Mahra, who has won Grand Slam gold medals in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro last year, was confident of medals here. “I will be meeting more local opponents since not many will be travelling from abroad in my category but in combat sport you can’t say what can happen,” said Mahra.
For Hana, this is her maiden grand slam and hence she has her own apprehensions ahead of the event.
“I’m very excited and at the same time a bit nervous because I haven’t entered this event before. It is a big set-up for me,” said Hana.
Other Emirati teenagers to watch out for are Mouza Al Shamsi, Bashayer Al Matroushi and Reem Abdulkareem. Mouza had clinched silver while Bashayer and Reem had both impressed with bronze at the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games.
