Dubai: The UAE topped the jiu-jitsu medals table with three golds, a silver and three bronze in Wednesday’s opening day of the fourth Asian Beach Games at Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand.
Faisal Al Ketbi, Talib Al Kirbi and Khalfan Humaid won their weight divisions. Zayed Al Kaabi took silver, while Ahmed Ghuloom Al Maazmi, Ali Salem Al Darai and Saoud Al Hammadi took bronze.
Al Ketbi had to go through a tough draw of fighting three opponents before earning a meeting with teammate Al Kaabi in the 90kg weight final, which he won in under a minute with an armlock.
Al Ketbi got the better of Hai Long To of Vietnam 15-0 on points in the first round and edged out Mohammad Ali of Kuwait on advantage score, but had to draw on all his experience to clinch a semi-final win over Iraj Amrikhani of Iran (4-0).
Jiu-jitsu was making its debut at the Games and Al Ketbi said the level of the competition was tougher than they expected.
“It was even tougher for me because I had to face three opponents in less than one hour to reach the final. I am very glad Zayed too made it to the final,” he said.
