Ricardo Evangelista [Brazil] beat Nei Nascimento Jr. [Brazil] on points in the Master1 black belt 110kg finals
Joao Miyao [Brazil] beat Hiago George [Brazil] in the Adult black belt 62kg finals
UAE players won a total of 152 medals [50 Gold, 50 Silver and 52 Bronze] in different weight and belt categories
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 13th January, 2018: Abu Dhabi Grand Slam® Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Abu Dhabi second day, saw some exceptional energetic fights among some of the worlds best Black belts in the finals. In the much anticipated match between Ricardo Evangelista against Nei Nascimento Jr. in the Masters 1 110kg finals, Evangelista won via decision after a tough fight and Joao Miyao took the Gold in the Adult 62kg against Hiago George.
The event began in the presence of HE Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education of UAE, HE Major General Mohammad Khalfan Al Romaithi, Chairman of the General Authority of Sports, Sheikh Zayed bin Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.E Abdulmunem Al Hashemi, Chairman of UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation®, President of Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union & Senior Vice President of Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, Mr. Panagiotis Theodoropoulos, President of Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, HE Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Mr. Ahmed Al Khayyat, President of Bahrain Jiu-Jitsu Federation, HE Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Chairman of UAEJJF and Mr. Yusuf Al Batran, board member of UAEJJF.
“This was a very successful event hosted here in Abu Dhabi. It is really amazing to see what Abu Dhabi is doing for the sport of Jiu-Jitsu; they have helped to grow the sport in such a fast and professional way around the world, I am very pleased to see it grow year after year. Thank you to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, for his vision for developing the sport, we are very lucky and it is a privilege really to have his support and guidance” Said Panayiotis Theodoropoulos, President of Jiu-Jitsu International Federation.
The Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City was rocking with over 1500 energetic fans in attendance, who at times, created an electric atmosphere in the venue to cheer on the superstar black belts.
Commenting on his win, Ricardo Evangelista said “I am obviously delighted with the Gold medal today, it is very rewarding to win here, one of the best Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in the world. I would like to thank my team, coach and especially the Abu Dhabi fans, they were really amazing and the atmosphere was great. I am not sure yet if I will be at the Grand Slam in London, I hope to be there.”
Joao Miyao, who is one the best jiu-jitsu black belts in the world, had an incredible performance, which brought the crowd to its feet, after he defeated his team mate Hiago George of Team Cicero Costha in the Adult 62kg black belt finals.
Commenting on his win, Joao Miyao said, “I would like to thank and congratulate UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for organizing an amazing event today, I am very happy to have performed and won here. I look forward to coming back to Abu Dhabi in April for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship”
Overall it was a great tournament for the UAE players on both days, of all ages and belt categories, as they won a combined total of 152 medals: 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 52 Bronze.
Emirati Omar Al Fadhli, who won the Gold in the blue belt Male Adult 62kg category said “First of all I would like to thank God, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, my team mates and coaches at Ajyal Academy for their support. I am very happy and excited, it is an amazing feeling to win in such a big tournament, I dedicate this to all the lovers of jiu-jitsu in Abu Dhabi.”
If you missed the event broadcast live, then it will be aired on delayed basis on the following TV partners in the coming weeks: FOX Sports in Asia, Fight Network in Canada, Europe and MENA regions, Astro in Malaysia, Starhub in Singapore, ABS-CBN Sports in Philippines, Orange TV in Indonesia, SCTV in Vietnam, Singtel in Singapore and Australia, Super Sport and Azam Sports in Africa, Fight Sports in the Caribbean, North America and Europe regions, Dubai Sports and Sharjah Sports in MENA.
The fifth and final leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam® Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Season 3 [2017-18] heads to London [UK] on 10th and 11thMarch 2018. For registrations and more information, please visit – https://events.uaejjf.org/event/12
The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2018 will take place from 16 April to 29 April 2018 and it will be the 10thanniversary of the championship. Please visit https://events.uaejjf.org/event/88 to register
Male Black Belt Winners
56kg – Jose Lima
62kg – Joao Miyao
69kg – Paulo Miyao
77kg – Flavio Vianna
85kg – Charles Santos
94kg – Helton Silva costha
110kg – Igor Silva
Female Brown/Black Belt Winners
55kg – Amanda Nogueira
62kg – Charlotte Von Baumgarten
90kg – Samantha Cook
Male Master 1 Winners
62kg – Wellington Lima
69kg – Pablo Silva
77kg – Cesar Miyahira
85kg – Claudio Cardoso
94kg – Mauricio Antunes
110kg – Ricardo Evangelista
For Day 2 full results, please visit – https://events.uaejjf.org/event/11/results
– Ends –
Note to Editors
About UAEJJF:
UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation was established in November 2012 as the official authority for jiu-jitsu in the UAE. The Federation plays a leading role in supporting jiu-jitsu and contributing to building a strong generation of UAE athletes to excel at the local and international levels. The Federation’s role is to implement policies that develop the sport in collaboration with various government entities, educational institutions and other partners in order to advance the sport locally, regionally and globally. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @uaejjf, follow us on Instagram @uaejjf and visit us online at https://www.uaejjf.com
Media Contact:
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