ABU DHABI, 15th November, 2024 (WAM) -- The finals of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship for black belts will take place at Mubadala Arena tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 6 PM. The prestigious championship, a highlight of the global jiu-jitsu calendar, will culminate in a series of high-stakes competitions as top athletes vie for gold in their respective weight categories.
The championship has seen fierce competition, with 24 elite world champions securing their spots in the finals. Among them are both Emirati and international athletes, including Asma Alhosani, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohammed Al Suwaidi, and Zayed Alkatheeri, alongside stars like Thalison Soares, Grasielle Brandao, Jefferson Fagundes, Maria Luisa Delahaye, Sarah Galvao, Tamara Toros, Pedro Ramalho, Lucas Protasio, Sabatha Santos, Lillian Marchand, William Dias, Uanderson Ferreira, Fellipe Andrew Silva, Roberto Dib Frias, Felipe Bezerra, Anton Seleznev, and Sonia Ariz.
Brazilian Jefferson Fagundes, from PSLPB Cicero Costha Academy, who reached the 62kg black belt final, said: “Yesterday, I fought two competitions in the country qualifiers, and today I fought three more to secure my place in the finals tomorrow. I’m thrilled to reach this moment I’ve been waiting for. I won gold in the brown belt in 2022 and placed third last year. This year, I’ll give my all to win gold in the black belt category.”
Spanish competitor Sonia Ariz, training at BJJ Akademie Berlin, who qualified for the 49kg brown/black belt category, added: “It’s taken patience and rigorous training to reach this stage. I’m excited for tomorrow’s fight and determined to claim victory.”
Brazilian Grasielle Brandao, competing for Commando Group Academy, also in the 49kg brown/black belt final, said: “I’m pleased with my performance so far. I’ve studied my opponents’ styles closely to find ways to overcome them. I feel ready for tomorrow.”
Canadian Lillian Marchand, representing Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy and finalist in the 70kg brown/black belt category, said: “This is my first time competing in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and I’m thrilled to participate, especially in the brown/black belt category. I’m looking forward to the experience tomorrow and plan to fight my hardest.”
American Sarah Galvao, also from Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy, who reached the final in the 62kg brown/black belt category, added: “This is my fourth appearance in this tournament. I’ve won youth and professional purple belt gold in 2023 and youth purple belt gold in 2022. After today’s victories, I’m excited to compete in tomorrow’s final and aim to crown my achievements with another gold.”
Brazilian Felipe Bezerra, training with Commando Group Academy and a finalist in the 120kg black belt category, said: “The competitions today were challenging, but I was well-prepared. My goal is to win gold because victory here would be a significant milestone in my career. I’m ready to face any challenge that comes my way.”
Australian Roberto Dib Frias, a competitor for One Purpose BJJ and finalist in the 94kg black belt category, added: “Winning the Masters 1 category gold was an incredible achievement, and now I’m competing in the Professional category final. This is my third time at this championship. I didn’t succeed in 2017 or last year, but I’m hoping to change that tomorrow and win gold.”
Russian Anton Seleznev, representing Universal Jiu-Jitsu and a finalist in the 120kg black belt category, said: “Tomorrow is a crucial match, and I’m confident in my ability to win. The atmosphere here is electric, which pushes us to give our best.”