- Championship attended by Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi
- His Excellency Ahmad Yousuf Darwish Al Nuaimi: RAK home of sporting excellence
- Mr. Youssef Al Batran: Championship reached new heights due to increasing turnout
- UAEJJF organizes training course for referees to learn about best practices and improve performance
Abu Dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, the 5th edition of Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship is taking place at Ras Al Khaimah Educational Zone Sports Hall.
The No-Gi competitions on Friday and the Gi competitions today witnessed considerable turnout by athletes in the juvenile, adult, and master categories, in highlighting the distinguished level of the championship. Contributing to high level of the championship was the decision to suspend the participation of white belt athletes at this weekend’s event.
The championship has also experienced massive public turnout as fans flocked to see high-quality competitions between local and international athletes who have come to earn a spot on the winners' podium.
The championship was attended by numerous dignitaries and distinguished guests, most notably His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority, as well as: Ahmad Yousuf Darwish Al Nuaimi, member of the Federal National Council; His Excellency Hassan Ibrahim Al Issa, former president of Emirates Club; Abdulla Salem Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the Shooting and Archery Federation; Nayef Jakka, Cycling Federation Board Member; and Abdulla Al Abbar, President of Sport Activities at RAK Club.
The Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship is strategically important for local and international Jiu-Jitsu athletes as it is their last chance in the 2018-2019 season to raise their ranking points in the international ranking of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) before the Abu Dhabi International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship which will begin in April.
The championship allows male and female athletes of all nationalities to compete in the juvenile, adult, and master categories of all belt colors except white belt, which is a new step taken by the UAEJJF for the first time on the level of international championships during the 2018-2019 season.
Great Turnout
His Excellency Ahmad Yousuf Darwish Al Nuaimi, member of the Federal National Council, said that what he saw in Ras Al Khaimah in terms of the high level of international competition and large turnout was reflective of the popularity and excellence of the championship.
His Excellency added that this is a prelude to more championships and competitions that will inspire a wide range of athletes to register and participate and reach the winners’ podium. The motivational and inspirational nature of the champion was on display over the weekend and His Excellency recognized the substantial preparations made by the UAEJJF to host such a high calibre event.
RAK Affirms its Position
Mr. Youssef Al Batran, UAEJJF Board Member, said: "The Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship proved for the fifth year in a row that it is a vital stop in the career of athletes on local and international levels."
Al Batran said Ras Al Khaimah has become a main destination in the UAEJJF annual championships agenda, as this is the fifth edition of the championship and since it garners great interest from all social groups as evidenced by the increasing number of participants each year, and in light of the UAEJJF strategy of geographic expansion to spread this sport and increase its presence within the country and the region.
Al Batran said the championship has reached a new level given the nature of the competitions that took place and the increasing number of athletes who came to win medals and win UAEJJF ranking points, as this is the last international championship for the 2018-2019 season.
Al Batran thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qassimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, for sponsoring this event and supporting Jiu-Jitsu. He also stressed that hosting the Championship in Ras Al Khaimah strengthens the presence and popularity of this sport throughout the UAE.
Al Batran expressed pride in the efforts of the UAEJJF team for organizing international championships that cement the UAE's position on the global map of Jiu-Jitsu.
Distinguished Athletes
Athlete Khuzeyfa Al Zibeyan from Ajman Club, who competed in the 66 kg blue belt category, said he is proud to win a gold medal in his first participation in the No-Gi category and in the Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship in general.
Al Zibeyan said this win is the culmination of a long journey of training that lasted more than three months to prepare for this championship and the Abu Dhabi International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
For his part, Ahmed Aliani from Shabab Al Ahli Club, who competed in the master category, said his participation was good compared to previous years. He added that he has benefited from attending the championship and that the event continues to grow and improve every year.
Aliani said constant training helps athletes deal with their opponents and reach the winners' podium, in addition to experience and maintaining a singular goal to excel and win.
Ranking Points
Athletes who win gold medals at the Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship earn 60 points, while those who win silver medals get 40 points, and bronze medal winners get 30 points. The points earned decrease if the athlete’s ranking drops at the end of competition, with the 4th place getting 20 points, 5th to 8th place getting 10 points, and 9th to 16th getting 5 points, while 17th to 32nd get 3 points. Athletes who participated but did not earn a ranking get 1 point.
This championship uses a single format where athletes are eliminated when they lose.
Course for Referees
On the sidelines of the Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the UAEJJF organized a training course for referees, which included theoretical and practical lectures, under the supervision of Abdulla Salem Al Zaabi, Acting Director of Technical Department at the UAEJJF, which focused on introducing referees to the latest developments related to rules, and the common mistakes and errors referees should avoid.
The course also covered the best practices for taking decisions to which athletes or coaches object during competitions based on official and sanctioned technical methods.
Al Zaabi said: “This course which is held on a regular basis seeks to unify methods of interacting with athletes and coaches and dealing with various circumstances while refereeing, in addition to being important in enhancing the abilities of the referring team and achieving our vision of being a leading symbol of Jiu-Jitsu in the world."
Tolerance Mat
The Tolerance Mat continues to be featured in UAEJJF championships since the start of 2019 to celebrate the Year of Tolerance.
The Tolerance Mat's appearance at Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship is its fifth in a row after it was launched at the Al Fujairah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship, followed by the Mother of the Nation Championship for Women, the President Cup, and the Challenge Championship.
2018-2019 Season Championships Agenda
Following the conclusion of the Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the UAEJJF will continue the 2018-2019 season with the final round of the Vice President Cup on March 2, followed by the third and final round of the Mother of the Nation Championship on March 29, with the final round of the President Cup concluding the season on March 30.
Strategic Partners
Strategic and media partners continue to provide support for all championships and competitions, with the Ras Al Khaimah Championship receiving considerable and exceptional support by: Abu Dhabi Media, the official media partner; Palms Sports, the strategic partner; Emaar Properties, the lifestyle developer; Al Tayer Motors Land Rover, the exclusive vehicle partner; Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, the official sports channel; Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) as the diamond sponsor; Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), as the energy sponsor; UAE Ministry of Interior (MoI), the government partner; Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA), the health care partner. The event’s gold partners are: Dolphin Energy Limited, Afaq Islamic Finance, Masood Automobiles, Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments, Emirates International Aluminum Company, and the Department of Culture and Tourism. Silver partners include the United Al Saqer Group and Al Ittihad newspaper, the official newspaper that seeks to raise awareness and local and global interest in Jiu-Jitsu, keeping the audience informed about the latest developments and results.
For more information about the Championship, please visit:
https://events.uaejjf.org/en/event/163
-Ends-
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mai Obaid
UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation -
Four Communications
Phone: 0525347568
E-mail: UAEJJF@fourcommunications.com
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