Young fighters bring the curtains up on world event

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Khalifa Murad Al Beloushi and Brazil’s Gabriel Fincato Loureiro were among the early winners of their respective weight groups in the World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup held at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.

While Al Beloushi won the Orange Belt 46kg category, the Yellow/Orange 30.5 kg section went to Brazilian Loureiro who saw off the challenge from Great Britain’s Omar El Bougoffa in the final.

In another final, Basel Abdul Abdulla from Al Qarm School got the better of Amer Hussain Suwaider in the Junior White/Grey belt under 50.5 kg category as over 600 children battled for honours in the World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup.

Khalifa, who added a second gold later in the evening, said: “I am extremely happy to have won my first gold medal in Jiu-Jitsu. It has been a tough day against great competitors, but to win a gold medal on home soil is an amazing feeling. Fighting in front of your home fans and also legends of the sport has made it all the more special.”

Reem Rashid, who won the inaugural women’s final, said: “I am ecstatic that I have won a gold medal in front of my home fans and legends of the sport. “I love Jiu-Jitsu and before the tournament started my aim was to produce respected results, but to win a medal is an amazing feeling. I would like to thank the federation for their support for female fighters and the backing they have given us,” she said.

With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu being included in many schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, there was a huge interest in the sport and the star attraction was the presence of UFC legends B.J. Penn and Demian Maia.

Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation said: “What an amazing day’s action from the next generation of Jiu-Jitsu fighters. They have once again proved that the future of the sport is in safe hands with some spellbinding performances throughout the day both from the boys and the girls. I am looking forward to seeing these fighters evolve over the years and represent the nation throughout the world.”

The real action beings today as the three-day Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013 kicks off with a prize fund of Dh1.45 million up for grabs.