Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship Finals To Showcase 24 Elite Athletes Tomorrow Evening

The finals of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship for black belts are set to occur at Mubadala Arena on Saturday, beginning at 6 PM. This prestigious event is a key highlight in the global jiu-jitsu calendar, featuring top athletes competing for gold in various weight categories.

The championship has been fiercely contested, with 24 elite world champions advancing to the finals. Among them are both Emirati and international athletes like Asma Alhosani, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohammed Al Suwaidi, and Zayed Alkatheeri. International stars such as Thalison Soares, Grasielle Brandao, and Jefferson Fagundes are also in the mix.

Brazilian competitor Jefferson Fagundes from PSLPB Cicero Costha Academy reached the 62kg black belt final. He shared his excitement: "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 athlete Sonia Ariz from BJJ Akademie Berlin qualified for the 49kg brown/black belt category. She expressed her determination: "It’s taken patience and rigorous training to reach this stage. I’m excited for tomorrow’s fight and determined to claim victory." Grasielle Brandao from Commando Group Academy is also competing in this category and feels prepared after studying her opponents’ styles closely.

Canadian Lillian Marchand represents Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy as a finalist in the 70kg brown/black belt category. She 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 from Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy reached the final in the 62kg brown/black belt category. Her past successes include winning youth and professional purple belt golds: "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."

Finalists Ready for Challenges Ahead

Brazilian Felipe Bezerra from Commando Group Academy is a finalist in the 120kg black belt category. He stated: "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 of One Purpose BJJ competes as a finalist in the 94kg black belt category. Reflecting on his journey, he said: "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 from Universal Jiu-Jitsu is also a finalist in the 120kg black belt category. He conveyed his confidence: "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."

As these athletes prepare for their final matches, anticipation builds around who will emerge victorious at this prestigious event held annually on a global stage.

With inputs from WAM