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UAEJJF Explains Reasons Behind End Of Absolute Division

UAEJJF Explains Reasons Behind End Of Absolute Division

 

 

As we previously reported the UAEJJF canceled the open weight division for the 2016-2017 season. Now the federation’s spokesman released an official statement outlining reasoning for this decision.

In a statement to BJJHeroes they’ve highlighted that the organisation had already limited the maximum weight to 110kg for safety reasons so the promoters felt that removing absolute would be a natural next step toward achieving the same goal.

Secondly, due to this division the heavier competitors were given a stronger chance to rank higher in the UAEJJF’s overall ranking. When we consider that heavier athletes tend to win more in absolute this doubles their chances of scoring points and profiting off of it- which is an unfair advantage in the eyes of the federation who wants a level playing field for all participants.

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They added that a lot of attention gets directed toward open weight champions which often takes away credit from lower weight classes.

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All of this comes, among other things, from UAEJJF’s cooperation with the International Olympic Committee and Ju-Jtsu Asian Union as well as WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) which allowed jiu-jitsu to be represented in the Asian beach games as a back door to the Olympic games.

Statement added that there will be a new event soon titled “King of the Mats” and it will champion challenges and tournaments between grand slam champions and other big names of the jiu-jitsu community. It will likely use broader weight categories that will lean on the light, medium, heavy parameters.

It’s hard to overlook how equal opportunities for all weight class athletes could benefit the entire community. When we add that most open weight winners are over 90kg and that heavier athletes have more chances of doubling ranking points and money prizes it seemed like a logical next step.

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