Abu Dhabi: The Hinaei sisters: Maha and Mahra kick-started their 2016 Jiu-Jitsu season by claiming golds in the inaugural President’s Cup at the IPIC Arena on Saturday.
Maha defeated Mahra Al Mansouri in the final of 57kg category Blue belt, while Mahra got the better of Mehta Sultan in the U-52kg Green belt category. With their success, Al Ain Club also topped the points tally in the women’s section. They, in all, bagged seven golds and three silvers from a total of 10 entries. “It is a great start to the season and it was good to know where we stand at the beginning of the year,” said Maha adding that, the tournament introduced this year solely for Emirati Jiu-Jitsu fighters was a great initiative to tap local talent.
“It gives us a chance to test among ourselves and it is not that the competition is not fierce. Everybody who turns up here wants to win. Maybe the level of participation in Open event is higher but still a good opportunity to get some match practice and feel of competition,” added the 16-year-old, who is now aiming to bag a ticket to take part in one of the Grand Slams.
“I’m hoping they will give me a chance to represent UAE at one of the Grand Slams. It will be a huge boost for me. I also want to do well in all the competitions I take part this season,” revealed Maha.
Mahra too was elated with her effort and was looking forward to the prospect of graduating into the Blue belt category this season. “I will be progressing into the Blue belt category in January and it will be a new challenge for me. I’m working towards it and this success is a good boost for the season ahead,” said the 15-year-old.
Also making the mark was Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy girls Samya Ahmad Al Balooshi, Hanadi Al Suwaidi and Noura Mohammad Mahri. Al Balooshi and Al Suwaidi claimed gold while Mahri settled for silver.
The success was Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy’s best performance till date and understandably their Brazilian coach Leticia Pires was all smiles.
“We have around 20 local girls in the academy and we are training at Al Forsan Club. It’s just two years since we have started and it was heartening to get such a result from where you can look to build on,” said an elated Pires.
Al Baloushi, speaking about her triumph, said, “I have been working hard and this is my first gold in the White belt category, I had earlier won silver. This year, I would like to take part in as many competitions as possible and try and do well.”
