Abu Dhabi Grand Slam | London | The elite of Jiu-Jitsu descended at the packed Excel London Arena
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam | London | The elite of Jiu-Jitsu descended at the packed Excel London Arena
Alexandre Ribeiro won Gold by choking Adam Wardzinski at the male Gi Black Belt 94kg male division
Jose Junior beat Gabriel De Sousa on points at the male Gi Black Belt 110kg division to win the Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi’s Grand Slam medal-less streak followed him from Abu Dhabi to London in another disappointing day for the Emirati
London, UK, 18 March, 2017: The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam returned to London for the fifth and final leg of the 2016-17 season, as Alexandre Ribeiro beat Adam Wardzinski by a bow and arrow choke submission at the Gi 94kg male black belt division finals and Nathiely De Jesus submitted Jessica Da Silva by an arm bar in a highly competitive and close fight at the Gi 90kg female black / brown belt division at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour in London.
The event began with national anthem of United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom in the presence of the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to London, His Excellency Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, UAEJJF board member, Ms. Samira Al Romaithi, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Director, Mr. Tareq Al Bahri and UAEJJF Director of Marketing and Finance, Mr. Muhammed Hussain Al Marzooqi.
“This was a very successful event hosted here in London at the Excel Arena. We have very strong ties and relations with London on many aspects, from sports to tourism to trade. Congratulations to everyone who worked very hard on this event and congratulations to all the players who took part today. ” Said H.E Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, United Arab Emirates Ambassador to London
The Excel London Arena was at full capacity with 1,628 energetic fans in attendance and the viewers across Abu Dhabi Sports TV and the 12 broadcasters from around the world witnessed some fast paced and tactical matches.
Alexandre Ribeiro and Adam Wardzinski was one of the most thrilling fights of the day. The fight was technical and tactical from both players, as Ribeiro began with his natural calm and composed style, Wardzinski was up for a fight but Ribeiro eventually worked his way to Wardzinski’s back to finish him off with a bow and arrow choke.
“After the success at the other four events, I wanted to come here in London and finish off the season in style. And what better way to do it than winning the gold. Respect to Adam, he was really tough. We can see the sport of jiu-jitsu is gaining some buzz here in London and I think with the constant support of UAE jiu-jitsu, it will be even bigger in the coming years.” said Alexandre Ribeiro
“Another great event and another gold. I am very happy for my team mates, my coaches and everyone involved at the Federation for a successful season. My goal for next season is to compete in the Black belt division. I hope that would be a possibility.” Yahya Al Hammadi
The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour 2017-18 season returns this summer: 15th July 2017 in Tokyo [Japan], 23rd and 24th September 2017 in Los Angeles [USA], 10th, 11th & 12th November 2017 in Rio de Janeiro [Brazil], 12th & 13th January 2018 in Abu Dhabi [UAE] and March 2018 in London [UK].
Male Black Belt Results
62kg: Medalists: 1st – Hiago Silva, 2nd – Erno Elgland, 3rd – Rodnei Junior
69kg: Medalists: 1st – Italo Lins, 2nd – Victor Moraes, 3rd – Maxmiliano Campos
77kg: Medalists: 1st – Talison Costa, 2nd – Ilke Bulut , 3rd – Ross Nicholls
85kg: Medalists: 1st – Charles Santos, 2nd – Santeri Lilius, 3rd – Bradley Hill
94kg: Medalists: 1st – Xande Ribiero, 2nd – Adam Wardzinski, 3rd – Jackson Dos Santos
110kg: Medalists: 1st – Jose Junior, 2nd – Gabriel De Sousa, 3rd – Gabriel Lucas
Female Brown/Black Belt Results
55kg: Medalists: 1st – Vanessa English, 2nd – Mayra Abrahao
62kg: Medalists: 1st – Luiza Da Costa, 2nd – Cornelia Rossier, 3rd – Leoni Munslow
70kg: Medalists: 1st – Ana Srour, 2nd – Samantha Cook, 3rd – Laila Carneiro
90kg: Medalists: 1st – Nathiely De Jesus, 2nd – Jessica Da Silva, 3rd – Claire-France Thevenon
Masters 1 Black Belt Results
62kg: Gabriel Moraes
69kg: Thiago Marques
77kg: Pedro Bessa
85kg: Andre De Souza
94kg: Celso Junior
110kg: Paulo Pinto
