Tough battles on cards in Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The stage is set for the highly anticipated final rounds of the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup, which kicks off on Friday, at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

Athletes in the under-16 and under-18 age brackets will battle it out for medal glory and alluring prize money on Day 1 while the under-14 and adults will compete on Day 2.

The boys’ under-16 finals will feature a face-off between Al Ain and Al Wahda, while the girls’ competitions are also set to be a thrilling encounter as Baniyas and Al Jazira prepare for their own showdown. Al Ain and Baniyas will go head-to-head in the under-18 finals for both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, promising an unforgettable display of fierce competition.

Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the success achieved by the tournament at all levels. “The President’s Cup is equivalent in importance to the largest international tournaments, due to the remarkable participation of elite players in the clubs and academies all over the UAE. The presence of a large number of national team members gives the competition a lasting flavor,” he said.

Al Shamsi also stressed the strong participation of the clubs and the public presence in the stands throughout the tournament, as well as the accuracy and high professionalism in organizing the event.

Expressing his confidence in his team, Al Wahda coach Gabriel Figueiro noted that his players are fully prepared to participate in the finals.

“Al Wahda has made fantastic preparations for the upcoming season, and I am confident that my players are ready to compete at the highest level in the President’s Cup finals,” he said. “We have the strength and the determination to achieve great things for Al Wahda Jiu-Jitsu in this year’s edition of the prestigious event.”

Elsewhere, Al Ain Club’s coach, Yuri Alves, has confirmed his side is well-equipped to clinch the championship title. He highlighted that mental exercises were given equal importance as tactical and physical exercises, as the performance in jiu-jitsu heavily relies on the mental strength of the player. “We have worked hard on improving the mental toughness of our players, and I am confident that they are ready to give their best in the finals,” Alves said.

Earlier, the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup preliminary rounds concluded at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City on Sunday with the under 18s division showcasing impressive skills and determination. Three clubs, Al Wahda, Baniyas, and Al Ain, secured their spot in the finals.

Both Al Ain Club and Baniyas Club delivered strong and convincing performances, enabling them to qualify for the men’s category final and compete for the title while Al Wahda and Baniyas will go head-to-head in the women’s category final to determine the ultimate winner.

Youssef Abdullah Al Batran, a board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed his satisfaction with the high level of skills displayed by the athletes during the preliminary rounds. He further stated, “The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup Championship is a priority for the athletes as it enables them to engage with a group of experienced players who have a long history in the sport.”

“Since its inception seven years ago, the championship has been a driving force behind the motivation of local clubs to invest in the development of the next generation of players, and to continually improve their performance.”

Commenting on the overall level of the tournament, Ramon Lemos, coach of the national jiu-jitsu team, confirmed that the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup provided Emirati players with the perfect opportunity to enhance their skills.