International Masters dazzle huge crowds at Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu

Fans cheers the competitors at the Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship. - Supplied photo

In one of the most dramatic and hotly-contested competitions in recent memory, jiu-jitsu masters from Brazil dominated Tuesday's Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Mubadala Arena.
The exciting preview to the three-day Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019 (ADWPJJC) - which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces -saw master black, brown, purple and blue belts aged 30 years and above contest more than 700 matches in numerous weight categories.  
With cash prizes of $63,000 available to 'Masters 1' division winners in various weight categories, athletes representing 72 countries and 207 clubs competed in 110 divisions at Mubadala Arena on Tuesday. 
Brazil claimed outright victory by claiming 28,320 points and 22 gold, 17 silver and 20 bronze medals. Russia clinched second-place on 13,720 points with 12 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals, while the UAE finished third on 11,720 points with 7 gold, 10 silver and 8 bronze medals. Kazakhstan, Colombia, France, the UK, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia completed the top 10. 
Brazil, the famous jiu-jitsu heartland, was the most represented nation with 180 athletes, while Russia had 61 and the UAE had 56 athletes in action. Kazakhstan, Colombia, France and the UK all offered more than 20 masters each. Twenty-two countries from five continents contributed between five and 15 athletes each, including Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Spain, Angola and South Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Italy, Bahrain and Mongolia. 
With hundreds of world-class jiu-jitsu practitioners on display, the watching crowd went wild during the finals of seven powerhouse 'Masters 1' black belt categories. 
Competing in the Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship for the first time, 2018 world jiu-jitsu champion Igor Silva, said: "I've completed my goal by topping the ranking after going the whole season in the Masters to avoid my brother in the World Pros, we don't contest each other. I love to compete in Abu Dhabi and it's a great feeling being in this arena - my mission is complete." 
After losing the 69kg final to Marques, the UAE's Talib Saleh, who announced he was retiring before the final, said: "It's not the best way to go out but reaching the finals was still an achievement. This is the fourth time I have won silver. I want to thank all the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, my coaches and teammates." 
Following her triumph in the 70kg female category, Polyana Lago, a UAE resident for the past eight years, said: "This division is full of tough girls, so I wasn't aiming for gold. I wanted to play the game I wanted, feel comfortable and see. Everything I planned on doing happened and I'm really happy - this is my dream, a first gold medal in a world competition." 
Away from the 'Masters 1' divisions, one of the most memorable performances of the entire ADWPJJC week belonged to UK para-athlete Raphael Dos Santos of the AFNT team. The Brazilian black belt, an amputee, won the 'Masters 3' 69kg division against able-bodied opponent, Mario Silva, from Brazil. 
"Jiu-jitsu has helped me overcome my injury and achieve my dreams in Abu Dhabi," said an emotional Santos. "I would like to thank the championship organisers for giving opportunities to para-athletes because jiu-jitsu literally saved my life." 
With the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival, Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship and Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship now concluded, the three-day Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship returns to Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Arena on Wednesday. 
On the first day, adult male and female athletes holding black, brown, purple and blue belts, under the age of 30, will contest matches in numerous weight categories ranging from 49kg to 110kg.  
On Thursday's second day, main bracket matches for adult male and female black and brown belts in weight categories ranging from 49kg to 110kg will determine the final qualifiers for Friday's Finals. 
"We are ready for a spectacular finale to the 11th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. This is where the dreams of jiu-jitsu athletes from every corner of the world will be broken or realised," said Mohammed Hussein Al Marzooqi, Director of Marketing and Finance at the UAEJJF and Director of the ADWPJJC. 
For more information on the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019,