Abu Dhabi: UAE’s Omar Al Fadhli’s brilliant run this season continued as he clinched his seventh successive gold by winning the adult blue belt 62kg final beating Brazil’s Giovanny do Nascimento on points 4-0 at the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Grand Slam at the Mubadala Arena on Saturday night.
En route to the final, the 17-year-old also beat Iran’s Ahmad Reza Eidy and compatriot Khalifa Nassrati, who retired with breathing problems mid-way through the bout.
“It was very tough but good result for me. The Grand Slam London in March and the Abu Dhabi World Pro in April are the next big objectives for me. There are a few local competitions in between and I’ll take my coach’s advice in competing on those,” said a jubilant Al Fadhli, who won the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award for Juvenile Emirati Sportsman of the Year last week.
However, there was disappointment for Wadima Al Yafei in the women’s adult blue belt 49kg. Al Yafei, who was the Creative Sports Award winner in the female category, lost in the semis to teammate Sharifa Al Naamani.
Al Naamani later went on to clinch gold beating compatriot Reem Abdullah 3-0 on advantage points after a 2-2 deadlock.
In another interesting final in the female brown/black adult 90kg category, Briton’s Samantha Cook defeated Brazilian Thamara Silva by submission.
World No. 1 Igor Silva consolidated his lead in the world ranking by taming Mauricio Lima in the 110-kg category and has swelled his points tally to 1,280. Giving Silva close chase is Poland’s Adam Wardzinski, who is now 200 points behind the former.
“The race for the World No. 1 spot is going to go to the wire as Wardzinski is planning to compete in most of the ranking events. Like is the previous season, I think the World No. 1 will be decided at the season-ending Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship,” said Silva, proudly donning his gold medal.
