2
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
3
4
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
5
62
Jiu-Jitsu Jiu-JitsuWorld World
BE Y O N D T H E D U N E S A N D A L L I M A G I N AT I O N y o u d i s c o v e r a n A r a b i a n t r e a s u re with glistening pools, nestled in the golden sands. This hidden palace invites you t o c o u n t l e s s a d v e n t u re s , e n d l e s s re l a x a t i o n a n d u n f o rg e t t a b l e i n d u l g e n c e . But what to do first? I t d o e s n ’ t re a l l y m a t t e r when you have it all a t y o u r f i n g e rt i p s .
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara #InAbuDhabi
visitabudhabi.ae Number0102- 2017 - 2017 Number
37
8 2
Jiu-Jitsu World Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017 Number 01 - 2017
9 3
Jiu-Jitsu World #2
WHAT’S INSIDE 34
Coverage Kings and Queens of London
14
Greetings
His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi
16
Editorial
Welcome to the Big Stage
20
UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Team UAE stars rock the Jiu-Jitsu world with stellar performance
10
22
Get Social
All posts lead to London
24 Jiu-Jitsu in Schools Mens sana in corpore sano
28
Interview
Keeping the fire alive Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
11
Jiu-Jitsu World #2
WHAT’S INSIDE
50 Grand Slam Retrospective Season of champions
84 Travel & Roll
Abu Dhabi: Heritage, Modernity and Luxury
62
88
Did you Know?
The origin of medals
ADWPJJC History Trail of glory
66
UAEJJF Athlete’s Ranking
90
Rules Book
Do you know the rules of the game?
92
68 Competition
Breaking down the workings of the 2017 ADWPJJC brackets
Around the Globe Travel the Jiu-Jitsu planet
80
UAE Events
A full year of thrills on the mats
12
94
Olympic Movement
A Global Sport
96
Lifestyle Tips
Live the Jiu-Jitsu way of life
Jiu-Jitsu World
01 - 2017 Number 02
3 13
Greetings
14
Jiu-Jitsu World
His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi President of both the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU) and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), and first vice president of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF)
W
ith the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Jiu-Jitsu continues to enjoy unprecedented growth in the country. The 2015/2016 season provided no shortage of impressive feats, established by the Emirati stars at the international arena, and in terms of competitions, the launch of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and the introduction of a World Ranking system. The Grand Slam World Tour kicked off in Los Angeles followed by Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and London. It culminated with the eighth staging of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship. Abu Dhabi has been included as the fifth venue for the second season of the Grand Slam. The 2016/2017 season kicked off September 3-4 in Los Angeles, followed by Tokyo on October 23, Rio de Janeiro on November 12-13 and Abu Dhabi on January 13-14. The final stage of the World Tour took place in London, on March 18. The Grand Slam World Tour will once again reach its climax with the ninth staging of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship in April. Jiu-Jitsu has enjoyed remarkable progress in a short period of time and has been included at the 2018 Asian Games, in Jakarta, after a successful debut at the Fourth Asian Beach Games in Phuket, in 2014. Jiu-Jitsu has also been included at the inaugural World Beach Games in San Diego, in 2019, and in the Fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, in 2017. It also made a second appearance in 2016, at the Fifth Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam, from September 24 to October 3. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) must surely be given credit for Jiu-Jitsu’s incredible growth and for raising the profile of the sport both locally and internationally. They have a well-structured development program from the grassroots with a busy domestic calendar that includes competitions scheduled throughout 10 months of the year. The UAEJJF have emphasized on youth development and the nurture of discipline, loyalty, bravery and teamwork through Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. In fact, the rise of Jiu-Jitsu has attracted enough followers for a new crop of ‘Emirati heroes’ to emerge amongst its practitioners, as made evident in the number of medals and international titles earned from numerous competitions.
Number 02 - 2017
15
#2
Chairman: H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi CEO: Fahad Al Shamsi Executive Manager: Rodrigo Valerio Editor in Chief: Ivan Trindade Editor: Ane Nunes Designer: Henrique Diniz Photography: Gentle Art Media Advertising Director: Ane Nunes Newsroom: news@jiujitsuworldmag.com Advertise with us: marketing@jiujitsuworldmag.com Customer Care: info@jiujitsuworldmag.com
World Jiu-Jitsu Magazine - Head Office: Capital Tower, 17th Floor 33rd St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates PO BOX 110004
FOLLOW US
jiujitsuworldmag jiujitsuworldmag jitsuworldmag Printed in the UK, UAE and USA Copyright Š 2017 Jiu-Jitsu World Magazine. All rights reserved. All reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without the publisher’s written authorization.
www.jiujitsuworldmag.com
Xande Ribeiro in photo by Ivan Trindade
16
Jiu-Jitsu World
Editorial
Welcome to the BIG STAGE
T
he moment we have all been waiting for the past 12 months is finally here. The 2017 World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is upon us. Once again, the best of the best will gather in Abu Dhabi for five days of action at the highest level on the mats set up in the state of the art IPIC Arena. We could not wish for a better moment to launch issue #2 of Jiu-Jitsu World. After a successful debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour London, where our issue #1 made big waves among athletes and the crowd on the stands, we are pleased to offer you this second issue. We worked hard to bring you all the information you need to have an even better experience during the ADWPJJC. You will find on our pages the complete coverage of the Grand Slam London, as well as a look back into the amazing 2016/2017 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour featuring the best images from Los Angeles, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi. We also bring you a retrospective of the glorious history of the ADWPJJC and how the event changed the face of Jiu-Jitsu since its inception in 2009. You’ll be able to relive the most important moments of each of the past eight editions. Jiu-Jitsu World #2 will take you on a trip around the world so you can witness the strength of the professional Jiu-Jitsu movement as events are held in all five continents. The issue completes with articles touching on several sides of the JiuJitsu lifestyle. You will be able to learn helpful health tips as well as get up to date with the rules of the game prior to competing. We also offer you an exclusive interview with superstar Xande Ribeiro where he shares valuable lessons on how to build a strong game on the mats and also how to have a champion’s mindset. The journey continues and we hope to have your company along the way. With every issue you receive, know that a lot of hard work was put into each page to offer you the best content possible. Welcome to the big stage and we hope to see you again on issue #3. Please, feel free to send us your input to news@jiujitsuworldmag.com. Have a great read!
IVAN TRINDADE
Editor in Chief
Number 02 - 2017
17
56 18
Jiu-Jitsu Jiu-Jitsu World World
Number 02 01 -- 2017 2017 Number
57 19
UAE JIU-JITSU NATIONAL TEAM
UAE STARS ROCK THE JIU-JITSU WORLD WITH STELLAR PERFORMANCE WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: UAEJJF
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team kept busy in the past season. Besides all the competitions under the UAEJJF in the UAE and all around the world, the team also travelled to represent the country and the sport at four major events. First, on September 26-27, in Danang, Vietnam, the team took part in the 2016 Asian Beach Games. Then, on November 24-28, in Wroclaw, Poland, it was time for the 2016 World Ju-Jitsu Championship, under the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). At the third stop, on December 7-12, the team travelled to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, for the 1st Asian JuJitsu Championship, under the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union
(JJAU). Already in 2017, the young talents travelled to Athens, Greece, to compete in the Youth World JuJitsu Championship (JJIF), on March 17-19. Under the technical direction of Professor Roberto “Gordo” Correa, the team had big results on the mats.
20
The President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach (right), and the General Secretary of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, Mr. Fahad Ali AL Shamsi (left), attended and supported the 2016 Asian Beach Games
Jiu-Jitsu World
2016 ASIAN BEACH GAMES Male Ne Waza 56kg – Khalifa Nassrati – 3rd Place 62kg – Zayed Al Mansoori – 7th Place 69kg – Talib Al Kribi – 1st Place 85kg – Khalfan Balhol – 2nd Place 94kg – Faisal Al Kitbe – 1st Place +94kg – Yahya Al Hammadi – 1st Place Open Class – Yahya Al Hammadi – 1st Place Open Class – Faisal Al Kitbe – 2nd Place Female Ne Waza 45kg – Wadima Al Yafei – 3rd Place 49kg – Mouza Al Shamsi – 5th Place 49kg – Maitha Sharim – 7th Place 62kg – Roudha Yaqoob – 5th Place 70kg – Salma Al Bloosh – 5th Place
2016 WORLD JU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP Male Ne Wasa 94kg – Faisal Al Kitbe – 1st Place
1ST ASIAN JU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP Male Ne Wasa 62kg – Zayed Al Mansoori – 2nd Place 69kg – Saleh Al Kribi – 2nd Place 77kg – Mohamed Al Qubaisi – 2nd Place 94kg – Zayed Al Kaabi – 1st Place 94kg – Faisal Al Kitbe – 2nd Place +94kg – Yahya Al Hamadi – 1st Place Open Class – Faisal Al Kitbe – 1st Place Open Class – Yahya Al Hammadi – 2nd Place
YOUTH JU-JITSU WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Ne Waza Under 21 Men 56kg – Khalifa Nassrati – 1st Place 56kg – Obaid Al Nuaim – 2nd Place 62kg – Zayed Al Mansoori – 1st Place 62kg – Said Al Mazroua – 2nd Place 77kg – Saaid Hmdou – 3rd Place 85kg – Faisal Al Kitbe – 3rd Place Ne Waza Under 18 Men 46kg – Mohammed Al Darmaki – 1st Place 50kg – Salem Al Daheri – 1st Place 55kg – Hamad Nawad – 1st Place 55kg – Omar Al Fadhli – 2nd Place 60kg – Khalifa Al kaabi – 1st Place 66kg – Humaid Al Kaabi – 1st Place 81kg – Mansoor Al Neyadi – 2nd Place Number 02 - 2017
21
GET SOCIAL
All posts lead to London The final leg of the 2016/2017 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Tour dominated the social media traffic this past month WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: INSTAGRAM
They came, they fought, they won and they posted. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour London, on March 18, gathered thousands of athletes in the UK’s capital for a full day of great matches. Social medias exploded with posts on the athlete’s adventures on and off the mats. People from all over the world came to London to compete, to do some sightseeing and to celebrate the gentle art. A quick look into Instagram showed people proud with their achievements, learning from the experience and having a great time on the
Follow us on the social media
city. Another topic that made waves was the launch of Jiu-Jitsu World Magazine. Black belt Gabriel Arges posted about the experience of being on our first cover. As we gear up for the 2017 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, we count on your participation to share your experience in Abu Dhabi. Be sure to tag your posts with the following hashtags: #jiujitsu #uae #uaejjf #abudhabi #adwpjjc17 #jiujitsuworldmag. We’ll be monitoring it and the best posts will be here next month.
/jiujitsuworldmag
@jiujitsuworldmag
@jitsuworldmag
www.jiujitsuworldmag.com
22
Jiu-Jitsu World
JIU-JITSU IN SCHOOLS
Mens sana in corpore sano Palms Sports celebrates seven years promoting a healthy lifestyle by helping to bring Jiu-Jitsu to kids and adults in Abu Dhabi 24
Jiu-Jitsu World
WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE
WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE
Since 2010, a new movement started to take over schools, military facilities and government offices in the United Arab Emirates. The Jiu-Jitsu movement. Little by little, the gentle art started to become part of the lives of boys and girls, soldiers and civilians, providing the tools for a much healthier lifestyle. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has a well-documented interest in sports, and in particular, the martial art of Jiu-Jitsu. His Highness has the ambition of making the UAE, and specifically Abu Dhabi, a center for Jiu-Jitsu by designating it as the UAE National Sport. His Highness believes that by practicing the art of Jiu-Jitsu, people can change their mentality and take broad strides towards a brighter and clearer direction. Having seen the positive changes and the impact that Jiu-Jitsu has had on his son’s character and attitude, His Highness says: “If I invest it in my son, I will invest it in my country.” His Highness recognized that local physical education programs did not feature martial arts, and he took
Number 02 - 2017
the initiative to introduce a comprehensive Jiu-Jitsu program to public schools, the military, and other governmental organizations across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Further to this, His Highness is passionate about the concept of “mens sana in corpore sano” (healthy mind, healthy body) and his vision is to develop Abu Dhabi into a health-conscious community that unites to regularly practice sports. Palms Sports was founded with a mandate to execute this program to fulfill the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Palms Sports is now integrating mixed martial arts into sports programs across the emirate and is expanding its services to all industries. Seven years into the project, over 100,000 students take Jiu-Jitsu classes under 600 Jiu-Jitsu coaches in 300 different locations. The project also aims at the UAE Armed Forces and the formation of high level competitors. The future is bright as more and more people will join the effort to make the Emirati people stronger, and healthier. More info at palmssports.com.
25
26
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
27
INTERVIEW
Xande is the happiest when he’s on the mat
28
Jiu-Jitsu World
KEEPING THE FIRE ALIVE One of the greatest examples of love and devotion for Jiu-Jitsu, Xande Ribeiro shares his views on training, maintaining the drive to compete and the right mindset to become a champion WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE
Xande Ribeiro was a constant presence in the professional Jiu-Jitsu circuit in the 2016/2017 season. He competed in all legs of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour, reaching the finals in all of then and collecting three gold medals and two silver medals. Xande was also present in many of the International Pro and National Pro events in the Americas. In this interview, he shares his views on the gentle art and also his recipe for staying active in the highest level of competition. JIU-JITSU WORLD: You competed in all of the Grand Slam events this season and also travelled to compete in some of the National and International Pro events. What’s the secret to staying so active and keeping a high level of performance? Xande Ribeiro: The secret is to believe in yourself. In the beginning I was looking for a challenge. Since this circuit is a new project, I was excited for it. I struggled with some injuries, but I put a group together and laid down a plan that has kept me in shape and ready. What keeps me going is a smart approach to training, the right coaching and proper understanding of my body, and of course when push comes to shove, it is about the heart and will. You won three gold medals and two silver medals in the 2016/2017 Grand Slam World Tour. What is the moment that you cherish the most in your campaign this year? I cherish every single moment of it. The travel, the crowd, facing the challenges, making friends. Fighting is only a small portion of the deal, what matters is how
Number 02 - 2017
29
FBJJ
In Tokyo, Gabriel once again made to the top of the 85kg division
Xange waged epic battles against Felipe Pena at the Grand Slam in Tokyo and Rio
Going at it against upcoming talent Nicholas Meregali at the Brazil National Pro
Battling Erberth Santos at the Grand Slam Los Angeles
Finishing Bernardo Faria for the 100kg division title at the 2012 ADWPJJC
I got inspired and inspired people on the way and definitely being on the mat is what matters the most doing what I love, which is fighting. You have a very rich story in the ADWPJJC. Do you have a favorite moment on the mats in Abu Dhabi? I have competed a few times. I’ve won the no-gi edition in 2011 with a beautiful spinning medal alongside my teammate Rafael Lovato Jr. I have won the gi edition in 2012 beating many beasts, but my favorite moment is coming in the 2017 World Pro! You could be competing in the master division, but choses to fight younger opponents. What’s the recipe to keep competitive in the adult division? I competed in the masters to join my team in competition and the other reason was because I was coming back from injuries. Then I didn’t want to settle. I thought I was done, but I had a fire to prove myself wrong and I’ll keep on going until the fire is alive.
30
Who are the biggest influences on the Jiu-Jitsu black belt you have become? I am a very attentive person and definitely I gather many influences. I have the chance to learn from the best ever which is my brother Saulo Ribeiro and we built a very strong team. The biggest example is Rafael Lovato Jr and now many times we trade places as sensei and student. They are my biggest influences. And outside of them, many of my opponents have had inspired me. Roger Gracie, Ronaldo Jacaré, Braulio Estima, Romulo Barral, Demian Maia, Rodolfo Vieira, just to name a few. What is the best part about competing? What would make you think about not competing anymore? It’s knowing you did your best to be ready. I love the warmth of the crowd and the pleasure to know that my Jiu-Jitsu is timeless. So in the future I can be an inspiration and guide to generations to come.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
31
32
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
33
COVERAGE
Kings and Queens of London Final leg of the 2016/2017 season of the Abi Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour pleases the crowd with awesome matches in England WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE, ANE NUNES
34
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
35
Male Black Belt
Junior vs. Arges
Arges vs. Lucas
110 kg
Face off for the lead Jose Junior and Gabriel Arges had a beef to settle. The London Grand Slam would be the final chance to arrive at the 2017 ADWPJJC as the leader of the UAEJJF ranking. That’s why Arges decided to move up from the 85kg division for a face to face with Junior. Before the big final, Arges had to overcome a tough opponent in Gabriel Lucas with a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Junior outscored Antonio Junior 17-0 in the other semifinal. When they finally were face to face, Arges chose to fight on the bottom and try to sweep the heavier opponent. Junior stood his ground and the match was decided when the referee applied a penalty on Arges for a illegal grip. With the title, Junior will arrive in Abu Dhabi for the World Pro with a sizable lead.
36
Junior vs. Antonio Junior
Junior vs. Arges Jiu-Jitsu World
Xande vs. Sousa
Wardzinski vs. Esfandmaz
94kg
Xande’s second chance
Xande vs. Wardzinski
The final at the recent Grand Slam Abu Dhabi stuck on Xande Ribeiro’s mind. A very tough Adam Wardzinski held on to his game and was able to stop Xande on his tracks and allow the Brazilian only a victory by advantages. In London, Xande wanted to correct the record and that he did. First, Xande took the back of Jackson Sousa in the semifinal to finish with a choke. Adam made to the final with a 16-2 win over Arya Esfandmaz. The gold medal match was really loop sided. Xande went all out and quickly worked a guard pass that turned into a back take and ended with a bow and arrow choke. Xande talked about the result: “I was able to fix my mistakes and apply it right away in London. Thanks to my teammates and my brother [Saulo] that got me sharp for this event. Now is time to stay tuned for the World Pro.”
Xande vs. Wardzinski Number 02 - 2017
37
62 kg
George vs. Elgland
Still on top
No upset here. Hiago George kept the same level of performance and once again rose to the top of his weight class. In three matches, he first outscored Michael Woolf 10-0 in the quarterfinals. The next step was a 2-0 win over Rodnei Junior in the semifinals. Hiago met Finland’s Erno Elgland in the gold medal match. Hiago put his game to work to reach the guard pass, get to full mount and locked a triangle to get the tap. Hiago finished the 2016/2017 Grand Slam season with three titles in five events. “I want to thank all of those who helped me on this journey,” said Hiago after the victory.
George vs. Elgland
George vs. Rodnei
George vs. Elgland 38
Jiu-Jitsu World
Negromonte vs. Lilius
Negromonte vs. Faisal
85 kg Two for two
Charles Negromonte trains and teaches Jiu-Jitsu under the great Roger Gracie. Just like Roger, Negromonte used a lot of pressure to finish both of his opponents in the weight class. His first opponent was Faisal Al Kitbe, who had outscored Raimundo Sousa 13-0 in the first round. Negromonte caught Faisal with an armlock. Then he met up with Finland’s Santeri Lilius in the final. The gold medal came Negromonte’s way after he reached full mount and choked Lilius, forcing him to tap. Charles said this about the outcome: “Happy to win at the Grand Slam for the second year in a row. Thanks so much for every single person that was involved.” Negromonte vs. Lilius
Faisal vs. Sousa
39
Bulut vs. Bravo
Costa vs. Bulut
Costa vs. Mackenzie
77 kg Marathon man
It was the most crowded weight class in the black belt division. Talison Costa had one of the hardest paths to the gold medal of all the champions. He fought four times in London. First he beat Jacob Mackenzie by points, then he outscored Krzystof Suchorabski. In the semifinal, a tough match against Ross Nichols was decided only by the referees. The final match put Talison against Switzerland’s Ilke Bulut. One sweep and a 2-0 lead was enough for Costa to secure the title. “Thank you for all those who helped me on this journey. I’m very happy with the outcome, but not satisfied. The work goes on,” said Talison on the result.
40
69 kg Luck strike
The bracket became wide open when the reigning champion Isaque Paiva was disqualified for not arriving at the venue in time. Italo Lins took the opportunity and in three matches climbed to the highest point of the podium. He first finished Nelson Teixeira with a choke from the back in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he beat Maximiliano Campos. The final put Italo against Victor Moraes and a sweep was enough to put him ahead 2-0 in the scoreboard and secure the title. Italo talked about the accomplishment: “I can’t thank enough everyone who are part of my achievement. So let me just start thanking God for giving me health and passion.”
Lins vs. Campos
Lins vs. Teixeira
Lins vs. Moraes Number 02 - 2017
Lins vs. Moraes 41
Female Brown/Black Belt
90 kg
Business as usual Nathiely de Jesus fought twice in London to win her fourth gold medal in five events this season. First she finished Claire-France Thevenon in the semifinal to make it to the gold medal match. In the final, she worked her way to mount Jessica Silva and transitioned to an armbar that meant the end of the match.
42
Jiu-Jitsu World
One for the gold Ana Carolina Vieira won her third gold medal in five events this season with a single match campaign. Merciless, the Brazilian took Samantha Cook’s back and quickly found a choke to secure the title. Carol talked about the achievement: “Thanks to all of those who helped me. I’m very thankful to God for being able to do what I love. Now I go back to the drawing board and get ready for the World Pro.”
70 kg
Number 02 - 2017
43
62 kg Luiza’s turn
After settling for the second place in Abu Dhabi, Luiza Monteiro wanted to rise to the top of the podium in her division. She fought twice to win the gold medal and the cash prize. First she caught Maria Asensi with a leg lock and then outscored Cornelia Rossier 9-2 in the final. “I’d like to dedicate this win to my boyfriend Gustavo Batista, who was ready to compete in London, but could not due to a last minute injury,” said Monteiro.
44
Jiu-Jitsu World
55 kg Home champion
In a single match, Vanessa English kept the gold medal with the home country after a 3-2 lead on advantages was the edge over Brazil’s Mayra Abrahão. “Definitely didn’t feel at my best today but thankfully was able to get the job done,” said Vanessa after walking out with the gold medal.
Number 02 - 2017
45
Master
Seasoned talent Athletes over 30 years old gave their best on the mats in London. Here are the results for each weight class.
62 kg
Gabriel Moraes reached the back of Fabricio Conceição to finish with a rear naked choke and win the master 1, 62kg division.
77 kg
Pedro Bessa choked Mohammed Nabi from the north-south to win the master 1, 77kg division.
94 kg
In the master 1, 94kg division, Celso Campos beat Nivaldo Lima by one advantage to claim the gold medal. 46
110 kg
In the brown belt master 1 division, Yahya Al Hammadi became the 110kg division champion after a 18-2 victory over Robert Graham.
69 kg
Thiago Marques won in the master1, 69kg division after finishing Denilson Pimenta with a triangle in the final.
85 kg
Andre Franco outscored Mauricio Antunes 5-0 to claim the master 1, 85kg division title.
110 kg
Paulo Jose Pinto beat Pablo Aragão for having less penalties to win the master 1, 110kg division. Jiu-Jitsu World
Team Results
In the teams competition, the podium was the following: 1st - Checkmat International - 5712pts
2nd - Roger Gracie Academy - 4580pts 3rd - GF Team - 2840pts
Number 02 - 2017
47
48
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
49
RETROSPECTIVE Take a look back into the 2016-2017 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour and relive the thrilling action that spread all over the planet
SEASON of
champions
It was quite a season! The 2016-2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour touched down in five different cities in five different countries in four different continents. Thousands of athletes of several different origins signed up to compete for their share of over US$ 500,000 in prizes. In the next pages, you will relive the thrills of each leg of the tour in the past season. Check out the best of what happened in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro (the London edition is featured in a separate article in this same issue).
50
Jiu-Jitsu World
BLACK BELT CHAMPIONS
Los Angeles SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2016 - LA CONVENTION CENTER
More than 800 athletes took on to the mats both for gi and nogi competition at the beginning of September for the season opener. Big talents like Gabriel Arges, Xande Ribeiro, Erberth Santos, Romulo Barral, Edwin Najmi, Paulo and João Miyao, Tammi Musumeci, Nathiely de Jesus, Luiza Monteiro, among many others, pleased the crowd with great performances that add up to epic matches. In the teams competition, results were: Gi - 1st – Checkmat (6480pts), 2nd – Alliance LA (3120pts), RGCT (2540pts); No-Gi - 1st - Checkmat (3060pts), 2nd - Atos JJ (1860pts), 3rd – UAE JJ Team (1220pts).
Male Gi 62kg – Michael Musumeci 69kg – Paulo Miyao 77kg – Edwin Najmi 85kg – Gabriel Arges 94kg – Xande Ribeiro 110kg – Luiz Panza Female Gi
55kg – Talita Alencar 62kg – Maxine Thylin 70kg – Luiza Monteiro 90kg – Nathiely de Jesus Male No-Gi
60kg – Alexis Alducin 67kg – João Miyao 75kg – Bret Russell 83kg – John Combs 92kg – Erberth Santos 108kg – Igor Silva Female No-Gi
53kg – Patricia Santos 60kg – Heather Raftery 68kg – Jessica Santos 88kg – Tara White
52
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
53
BLACK BELT CHAMPIONS
Tokyo
OCTOBER 23, 2016 - BIG TURTLE FUKAYA
The land of the rising sun welcomed the tour at the end of October for a classic event filled with tradition and great JiuJitsu. Some of the best competitors from around the world gathered in Tokyo for a full day of awesome matches. Over 400 athletes stepped on the mats of the Saitama Big Turtle gymnasium. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Axis JJ (8740pts), 2nd – Infight Japan (4200pts), 3rd – Impacto Japan BJJ (2520pts).
54
Male 62kg – Tomoyuki Hashimoto 69kg – Tiago Bravo 77kg – Roberto Satoshi 85kg – Gabriel Arges 94kg – Felipe Pena 110kg – Jose Junior Female
55kg – Rikako Yuasa 70kg – Mackenzie Dern
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
55
BLACK BELT CHAMPIONS
Rio de Janeiro NOVEMBER 12-13, 2016 - RIO OLYMPIC ARENA
Beautiful Brazil hosted the third leg of the tour in mid November for two days of Jiu-Jitsu in the wonderful city. Both gi and no-gi divisions were filled with great thrills featuring most of the biggest talents in the country and the region. Close to 2,000 athletes converged to the Rio Olympic Arena to compete for their share of over US$ 100,000 in prizes. In the teams competition, results were: Gi - 1st – GF Team (13404pts), 2nd – Nova União (5504pts), 3rd – Gracie Barra (4984pts); No-Gi - 1st – GF Team (7100pts), 2nd – Team Nogueira (3920pts), 3rd – Nova União (3580pts).
Male Gi 62kg – Hiago George 69kg – Isaque Paiva 77kg – Alexandre Cavalieri 85kg – Matheus Souza 94kg – Felipe Pena 110kg – Andre Campos Female Gi
55kg – Thamires Aquino 62kg – Beatriz Mesquita 70kg – Ana Carolina Srour 90kg – Nathiely de Jesus Male No-Gi
60kg – Jose Filho 67kg – Alexandre Vieira 75kg – Luan Alves 83kg – Faisal Al Kitbe 92kg – Gustavo Saraiva 108kg – Igor Silva Female No-Gi
53kg – Mayssa Bastos 60kg – Daiane Oliveira 88kg – Ana Maria
56
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
57
BLACK BELT CHAMPIONS
Abu Dhabi JANUARY 13-14, 2017 - IPIC ARENA
Male GI 62kg – Hiago George 69kg – Isaque Paiva 77kg – Marcio André 85kg – Gabriel Arges 94kg – Xande Ribeiro 110kg – José Junior Female Gi
The world capital of Jiu-Jitsu hosted its first edition of the Grand Slam in mid January, when over US$ 150,000 in prizes were up for grabs. Close to 1,200 athletes gathered for two days of epic matches both at gi and no-gi divisions. Competitors from all over the world gifted the crowd with amazing displays of technique and drive to win. The black belt division featured big names like Gabriel Arges, Roberto Satoshi, Edwin Najmi, Marcio Andre, Xande Ribeiro, Talita Alencar, Bia Mesquita, Ana Carol Srour, Nathiely de Jesus, among many others. In the teams competition, results were: Commando Group BJJ (5840pts), 2nd – Al Ain JJ Club (4180pts), 3rd – Al Jazira JJ Club (3840pts).
58
55kg – Talita Alencar 62kg – Beatriz Mesquita 70kg – Ana Carolina Srour 90kg – Nathiely de Jesus Male No-Gi
67kg – Wellington de Lima 75kg – Adriano Araujo 83kg – Faisal Al Kitbe 92kg – Thiago Pessoa 108kg – Jiddu Lemos Female No-Gi
60kg – Larissa da Silva
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
59
ADWPJJC17:
720
Square foot
Over 7,000
athletes of mats
100 How many countries are represented
at the championships 60
Jiu-Jitsu World
on the mat 28,000m how far the competitors belts would cover if placed end to end
Number of Professional
99
70hours
gold medals
Total
AED 3 million prize fund
total fight time across
whole competition Number 02 - 2017
61
HISTORY
Trail of
glory Travel in time to understand how the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship changed the history of Jiu-Jitsu WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE
Rodolfo Vieira is one of the most accomplished competitors in ADWPJJC history
62
Jiu-Jitsu World
Something changed on May 2009. A powerful call originated from the United Arab Emirates and announced to the world that Jiu-Jitsu was entering a new phase. The time of competing for nothing more than medals was over and Jiu-Jitsu competitors were finally going to have their effort recognized with sizable money prizes. The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was born to give the gentle art the stage it always deserved. Here’s a brief look back into the history of the event that changed the trajectory of our sport. The Zayed Sports City Tennis court welcomed thousands of athletes from all over the planet for the first edition of what was then called the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup. The open air venue required for the matches to be held after the sunset, in order to reduce the exposure to the desert’s heat. Competitors travelled to Abu Dhabi to compete for their share of over US$ 100,000, something unprecedented in a sport used to offer only medals to its champions. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid a visit to the event on day 2 of competitions to watch over the matches, specially of the Emirati athletes like then blue belts Faisal Al Kitbe and Yahya Al Hammad. The black belt division featured epic battles like Cobrinha against both Gui and Rafa Mendes or Marcelo Garcia against both Victor and Braulio Estima. In the end, Tarsis Humphreys claimed the open class title and Rodolfo Vieira shocked the world by beating several black belts while still wearing a brown belt. The seed was planted and Jiu-Jitsu would never be the same again. One year later, the event was back to the tennis court at the Zayed Sports City. Now with three days on April 15-17, the second edition of the ADWPJJC once again gathered the best of the best in terms of Jiu-Jitsu talent. One big novelty for the second edition was the introduction of the women’s division. On the mats, the stakes were once again very high. The male black belt open class champion alone would take home over US$ 20,000. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was present to show his support to all UAE athletes competing and also to salute competitors from all over the world. In the end, Brazil’s Claudio Calasans Jr. rose to the highest step of the podium to claim the absolute title. The third edition of the ADWPJJC was the first to go inside. After two years at the Zayed Sports City tennis court, the 2011 edition was held at the ADNEC convention center. The other big novelty in 2011 was the fact that the event was held in two different weekends. First, on April 8-9, competitors stripped off Number 02 - 2017
The IPIC Arena is the stage that professional Jiu-Jitsu deserves
The Jiu-Jitsu environment changed in 2009 with the first edition of the ADWPJJC
Marcelo Garcia (left) is one of the many Jiu-Jitsu legends to have displayed their talents at the ADWPJJC
Claudio Calasans Jr. won the black belt open class title in 2010 and kept putting great shows throughout the years
63
The ADNEC hosted three editions of the ADWPJJC from 2011 to 2013.
Faisal Al Kitbe built a very respectful record at the ADWPJJC since the first edition in 2009
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a constant presence at the ADWPJJC to support UAE athletes and salute competitors from all over the world
their gis and dived into two days of no-gi competitions. Then, on April 14-16, the gis were back on for three more days of thrills. Rodolfo Vieira, who was still a brown belt in 2009, came back to once again shine bright. He won both the gi and no-gi open class titles and travelled back to Brazil as the main name of the event. Other noticeable results in Abu Dhabi that year were the appearance of a new talent in Leandro Lo, the 74kg division champion, and also Augusto Tanquinho, who beat the highly regarded Rafael Mendes in the 65kg weight class. Once again, the ADNEC convention center housed the ADWPJJC on April 12-14, 2012. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed 64
Marcus Buchecha and Rodolfo Vieira waged epic battles at the ADWPJJC, like this one in 2014
bin Zayed Al Nahyan was once again present to the venue. He was specially pleased with Faisal Al Kitbe’s performance at the purple belt division. Faisal won the 100kg division and went to celebrate with Sheikh Mohammed on the sidelines. The celebration was compete when Kitbe was promoted to the ranking of brown belt. In the black belt division, Rodolfo Vieira was once again the main name by winning the open class and the 94kg division. For the third year in a row, the ADNEC convention center was the setting for another edition of the ADWPJJC. The fifth edition of the event once again gathered the most important names in the Jiu-Jitsu community. In the brown belt division,
Faisal Al Kitbe proved one more time to be a talent to be taken in consideration. His victory in the open class division was welcomed with great joy by the crowd. The 2013 ADWPJJC also marked the first time Marcus Buchecha and Rodolfo Vieira battled for the main title in the adult black belt division. Buchecha came out on top after a thrilling match. New year, new venue. The UAEJJF took the 2014 ADWPJJC to the brand new FGB Arena, at the Zayed Sports City. The new setting inspired the competitors and the crowd was gifted with epic matches from white belt to black belt, kids to master division. Faisal Al Kitbe won his biggest title in the event’s history when he
Jiu-Jitsu World
Athletes of all affiliations gather in Abu Dhabi once a year to exchange knowledge
Mackenzie Dern shocked the world when she defeated Gabi Garcia in 2015
Felipe Pena is the face of the newest generation of ADWPJJC champions
Yahya Al Hammadi is another big talent from the UAE to shine bright at the ADWPJJC
overcame a very tough Marcio Andre in the brown belt open class division before the audience of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In the black belt division, Marcus Buchecha repeated his result to win his second gold medal in the adult open class and pocket the unprecedented prize of US$40,000. The final match against Rodolfo Vieira is still one of the most classic ones to have happened in Abu Dhabi. Renamed to IPIC Arena, the state of the art venue at the Zayed Sports City housed the 2015 ADWPJJC, now a six-day event, held on April 20-25. Marcus Buchecha was back to win his record breaking third gold medal in the
Number 02 - 2017
The 2016 champions! Are you ready for another explosive ADWPJJC edition in 2017
adult black belt open class division. The biggest story, however, was the unexpected win by Mackenzie Dern against the powerhouse Gabi Garcia in the female brown/black belt open class. Another fact worth mentioning was the debut in the black belt division by local favorite Faisal Al Kitbe. He fought bravely to represent his country. The 2016 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was everything it could be. A true celebration of the gentle art and also a show of force of all the progress the sport made in the world in the past decade. Once again, the best in the world came together in the IPIC Arena for five days of awesome
action on April 19-23. From kids to master 2 divisions, the matches pleased the crowd with all their talent and love for Jiu-Jitsu. The 2016 edition also featured the first edition of the Legends. Big stars from the past returned to once again put on a show. Felipe Pena and Tayane Porfirio were the big winners in the black belt division, signaling the arrival of a new generation of champions. As you are reading this article, the 2017 ADWPJJC is probably shaping up to be the greatest Jiu-Jitsu championship of all times. The future promises only great things for all Jiu-Jitsu athletes and fans all over the world. 65
UAEJJF ATHLETE’S RANKING
Understanding the UAEJJF athlete’s ranking
Know what you have to do to rise to the top of the list WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGE: ANE NUNES
Every time an athlete walks on a mat in an UAEJJF event, he or she is adding valuable points in the annual ranking that will point out the best competitors of the season. The ranking is the most fair way of awarding the effort and the talent of each athlete that signs up to one of the UAEJJF tournaments throughout the year. It is also a great incentive for more and more athletes to take part in as many events as they can. This, in fact is already happening, as big names like Gabriel Arges, Xande Ribeiro, José Junior, Luiza Monteiro, among many others are showcasing their talents in events all over the globe. The next pages will explain how the ranking works. Have a good read, put on your gi and go out there to add points right away. How to add points in the ranking You add points in the ranking by at least participating in one of the events of the UAEJJF calendar (the current calendar started on May 1, 2016 and ends on April 30, 2017). There are five kinds of events in terms of how many points you’ll get: ADWPJJC – 6 stars, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – 5 stars, National Pro – 4 stars, International Pro – 3 stars, Tournament – 2 stars. The chart in the next page shows how many points you can earn in each type of event. How many rankings are there? The UAEJJF has divided the ranking in several categories. You can say that the two most important are male adult black belt and female adult brown/black belt. Each belt has its own 66
ranking starting with white belts. You also have a ranking in the male master division, an academy ranking and country rankings (UAE, Brazil, USA, Japan). There are also No-Gi rankings. For what else is the ranking used for by the UAEJJF? The Federation will use the ranking to decide your position on the bracket of the ADWPJJC. It will also use the ranking to invite athletes to compete in the ADWPJJC. What are the prizes for ranking leaders? After all the effort, it is natural that ranking leaders at the end of the season receive proper rewards. The tables bellow show the main prizes for both the Gi and No-Gi rankings. The male adult Gi black belt division alone will award US$40,000, while the female Gi brown/black belt division will award US$18,000. That’s the same amount reserved for the male adult brown belt ranking leaders and the master 1 male black belt division. What else do you need to know about the ranking? Yes. There are a few details you need to know about the ranking. If you are alone in a division, you won’t earn points in the ranking. If you change belts during the season, you lose the points from the previous belt. The same happens if you change age divisions during the calendar. Due to the academies ranking, the UAEJJF will not change an athlete’s team during the same season. Still need more info?
Go to https://www.uaejjf.org/rank/show/25 Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017 Number 01 - 2017
67 3
AROUND THE GLOBE
USA NATIONAL PRO March 5, 2017 LA Southwest College Los Angeles, California
LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL PRO October 15, 2016 Sport Center of Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
N O RT H A N D C E N T RA L A M E R
TRAVEL THE
Jiu-Jitsu planet WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: UAEJJF
Take a trip all over the world to witness the growth of the professional movement in the 2016-2017 season
68
Jiu-Jitsu World
NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL PRO February 18, 2017 Gauchos Gym New York, NY CANADA NATIONAL PRO October 29, 2016 St. Michael’s College Toronto, Ontario
CANADA NATIONAL PRO March 5, 2017 EY Centre Ottawa, Quebec
R I CA P RO C H A M P I O N S H I P S
MEXICO NATIONAL PRO February 4, 2017 Deportivo Plan Sexenal Mexico City, DF
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL PRO January 28, 2017 Kissimmee Civic Center Orlando, FL
COSTA RICA NATIONAL PRO September 17, 2016 Polideportivo Hatillo 2 San Jose, DF
Number 02 - 2017
69
SCOTLAND NATIONAL PRO December 3, 2016 Meadowbank Sports Centre Edinburgh, Scotland
BRITISH NATIONAL PRO February 18, 2017 University of East London London, UK
NETHERLANDS NATIONAL PRO February 26, 2017 Topsportcentrum Almere, Netherlands
E U RO P E P RO C H
SPAIN NATIONAL PRO November 26, 2016 Associació Esportiva Dte. IX Sant Andreu Barcelona, Spain
ITALY NATIONAL PRO December 3, 2016 PalaMirafiori Turim, Italy
70
SLOVENIA NATIONAL PRO February 11, 2017 Vojašnica Edvarda Peperka Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jiu-Jitsu World
UKRAINE NATIONAL PRO February 19, 2017 Kharkiv, Sport Area Lokomotiv Kharkov, Ukraine
RUSSIA NATIONAL PRO November 5-6, 2016 Sports Complex “Festival’niy” Moscow, Russia
HAMPIONSHIPS
CROATIA NATIONAL PRO October 1, 2016 Dom Odbojke Bojan Stranic Zgreb, Croatia
GREECE NATIONAL PRO October 30, 2016 Ano Liosia Olympic Hall Athens, Greece
Number 02 - 2017
71
JORDAN NATIONAL PRO October 7, 2016 King Hussein Sports City Amman, Jordan
MONGOLIA NATIONAL PRO January 21-22, 2017 Central Sport Palace Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
A S I A P RO C H A
BAHRAIN NATIONAL PRO November 4, 2016 Bahrain National Stadium Isa Town, Bahrain
KAZAKHSTAN NATIONAL PRO February 25-26, 2017 Eurasian National University Sports Complex Astana, Kazakhstan
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL PRO September 23-24, 2016 Al Ahli Sporting Club Dubai, UAE
72
Jiu-Jitsu World
SEOUL INTERNATIONAL PRO March 12, 2017 Mapo Art Center Seoul, South Korea SENDAI INTERNATIONAL PRO TMarch 5, 2017 Miyagui-Ken Budokan Sendai, Japan SOUTH KOREA NATIONAL PRO December 4, 2016 Mapo Art Center Seoul, South Korea
AMPIONSHIPS JAPAN NATIONAL PRO February 26, 2017 Riverside Sports Center Tokyo, Japan
FUKUOKA INTERNATIONAL PRO January 21, 2017 Fukuoka Budokan Fukuoka, Japan
NAGOYA INTERNATIONAL PRO January 8, 2017 Aichi Budokan Nagoya, Japan
PHILIPPINES NATIONAL PRO January 14, 2017 SM Mall of Asia Manila, Philippines
MANILA INTERNATIONAL PRO January 14, 2017 SM Mall of Asia Manila, Philippines
Number 02 - 2017
73
COLOMBIA NATIONAL PRO December 10-11, 2016 Centro de Alto Rendimento Bogotรก, Colombia
ECUADOR NATIONAL PRO February 4, 2017 Coliseo de Volley Ball de la FedeGuayas Guayaquil, Ecuador BRASILIA INTERNATIONAL PRO August 13-14, 2016 Ginรกsio do Cruzeiro Brasilia, Brazil
S O U T H A M E R I CA P R
ARGENTINA NATIONAL PRO February 18, 2017 Cedem No 2 Buenos Aires, Argentina
74
Jiu-Jitsu World
BRAZIL NATIONAL PRO February 11-12, 2017 Arena Polisportiva Amadeu Teixeira Manaus, Brazil
RO C H A M P I O N S H I P S
BELÉM INTERNATIONAL PRO November 26-27, 2016 Ginásio da UEPA Belém, Brazil PETROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL PRO October 8, 2016 Centro Poliesportivo UCP/PEC Petropolis, Brazil
BENTO GONÇALVES INTERNATIONAL PRO May 28, 2016 Ginasio de Esportes Bento Gonçalves Bento Gonçalves, Brazil
CURITIBA INTERNATIONAL PRO November 19, 2016 Universidade Positivo Curitiba, Brazil
75
ANGOLA NATIONAL PRO February 25-26, 2017 Pavilhão de Multiusos de Luanda Luanda, Angola
A F R I CA P RO C H A M P I O N S H I P S
LUANDA INTERNATIONAL PRO December 18, 2016 Pavilhão de Multiusos de Luanda Luanda, Angola
SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL PRO March 4, 2017 The Shed Stellenbosch, South Africa
AUSTRALIA NATIONAL PRO, SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL PRO February 19, 2017 Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre Sydney, Australia
O C E A N I A P RO C H A M P I O N S H I P S MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL PRO January 28, 2017 Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre Melbourne, Australia
76
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
77
78
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
79
Ras Al Khaimah
UAE EVENTS
A full year of thrills on the mats
Ajman
Sharjah
Abu Dhabi Al Ain
Athletes of all ages displayed lots of technique and heart on competitions in a clear sign of the strength of the gentle art in the UAE
AL AIN INTERNATIONAL PRO October 28-29, 2016 UAE University, Al Muwaiji, Al Ain
AL SHAHEED KIDS JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP November 25-26, 2016 IPIC Arena, Abu Dhabi
80
Jiu-Jitsu World
AJMAN INTERNATIONAL PRO December 16, 2016 Sharjah, Ajman
PRESIDENT’S JIU-JITSU CUP December 24, 2016 IPIC Arena, Abu Dhabi
RAS AL KHAIMAH INTERNATIONAL PRO January 27-28, 2017 RAK Education District Sports Hall
Number 02 - 2017
81
UAEJJF YOUTH QUALIFIERS
February 3-4, 2017 Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Al Gharbia
SHARJAH INTERNATIONAL PRO February 10, 2017 Sharjah Sports Club
UAE JIU-JITSU CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP 2017
March 3-4, 2017 IPIC Arena, Abu Dhabil
82
GET READY
FOR THE
ABU DHABI WORLD YOUTH JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP 2017
16-17 APRIL
UAEJJF.COM #ADWPJJC17
IPIC ARENA OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
GOLD SPONSOR
Number Number 01 02 -- 2017 2017
OFFICIAL AIRLINE
EXCLUSIVE AUTOMOTIVE PARTNER
SILVER SPONSOR
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
DIAMOND SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
3 83
Abu Dhabi
TRAVEL AND ROLL WORDS: ANE NUNES | IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE, ISTOCK
Heritage, Modernity and Luxury On April 10-23, 2017, Abu Dhabi hosts the 9th edition of the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Beyond the exciting competitions, you can live amazing experiences in the city and around it with a lot of attractions for everyone. Abu Dhabi means ‘Land of the Gazelle’ in Arabic. It was founded when a young antelope led a wandering tribe to fresh water, on an island with no more than 300 palm (barasti) huts,
a few coral buildings and the Ruler’s fort. This simple island settlement has since been transformed into the modern, cosmopolitan city of Abu Dhabi and the high-rise capital of the United Arab Emirates. Since 2009 Abu Dhabi became part of Jiu-Jitsu’s history. Make sure to enjoy the best of what the city has to offer. Here’s a quick guide for you to explore the sights.
Fun for all Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld are the destinations for those who are looking for a full day of fun. Located on Yas Island, the two parks offer both dry and wet attractions for the whole family. Yas Waterworld features 43 rides, slides and attractions. The visitors will be able to try the world’s first and largest hydromagnetic-powered, six-person tornado waterslide - it’s over 235m long! For adrenaline seekers there are 3m high waves on Bubble’s Barrel, which has the world’s largest surfable sheet wave for flowboards and bodyboards. The Bandit Bomber, a 550m coaster, is the first with onboard water and laser effects. Riders can shoot jets of water at targets, drop water bombs and trigger special effects, while people below can spray them with water as they pass. More info at yaswaterworld.com.
Opening hours - Daily from 10am-6pm (winter months); 10am-8pm (summer months)
On the other hand, Ferrari World delivers on the promise of turning each person into a F1 driver. The world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park is home to a winning mix of Ferrari inspired rides and attractions, the biggest Ferrari Store and a range of authentic Italian dining options, so there’s plenty of choice for the whole family! Beneath its gigantic, iconic red roof it houses numerous high-adrenaline rides including the spectacular Flying Aces, featuring the highest rollercoaster loop in the world and the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa, with a top speed of 250kmph. Also, a third roller coaster just opened. Turbo Track is waiting for you for a heart-pounding experience that will take you literally through the roof. More info at ferrariworldabudhabi.com. Opening Hours - Sunday to Saturday - 11am-8pm 84
Jiu-Jitsu World
Experience the desert Nestled among stunning dunes, Arabian Nights Village harnesses the soul and essence of old Arabia. Conceived to let visitors experience the mythical and timeless beauty of the desert and aspects of traditional Emirati life. The desert journey begins as experienced guides transport guests over towering dunes. There are four types of accommodation available: Bedouin tents (Bayt Al Shaaer), palm houses (Bayt Al Bahar), desert houses (Bayt Al Bar), and The Fort Tower (Al Manha), inviting visitors to relaxing Arabian interiors, which transport them to different lifestyles from Abu Dhabi’s past. Guests can ride camels, rev-up quad bikes to surmount towering crescents, get the adrenalin pumping while dune bashing with fully
qualified drivers, and sand surf down sheer inclines. The village also offers morning safari, spectacular camel trekking experience and ‘Fat’ biking with special packages designed for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Although internet is available for emergencies, there are no TVs on-site, so guests enjoy sheer tranquility. Serving a mix of Arabic and international Cuisine, the Al Maqam restaurant (meaning ‘The Gathering Place’), is where visitors meet and eat together, while listening to traditional Arabic music. There’s also an idyllic 200m² swimming pool to cool down in. More info at arabiannightsvillage.com.
English – Arabic
Speak up! Arabic is the official language of the UAE, although English is widely spoken and most road, shop signs and restaurant menus are in both languages. The further out of town you go, the more Arabic you will find, both written and spoken. Arabic isn't the easiest language to pick up, or to pronounce, but if you can throw in a couple of Arabic words here and there they will be warmly welcomed. Here's a useful list.
Number 02 - 2017
Hi - Salam Good morning - Sabah el kheer Good evening - Masaa el kheer Welcome! (to greet someone) - Marhaba How are you? - Kaifa alhal I’m fine, thanks - Ana bekhair, shokran And you? - Wa ant? Thank you (very much)! - Shukran (jazeelan) You’re welcome! (for thank you) - Afwan Good night - Tosbeho ala khair Goodbye - Ma’a salama I’m lost - Ada’tu tareeqi Can you help me? - Momkin mosa’adati? How much is this? - B kam hatha? (th as in bath) Excuse me...! (to ask for something or to pass by) - Law samaht
85
A peaceful place for reflection Rejoice with the architectural artwork at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques. The project was launched by the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the culture diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art. The mosque is large enough to accommodate over 40,000 worshippers, while the main prayer hall can hold over 7,000 people. The mosque has many special and unique elements. The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered the largest carpet ever made by Iran’s Carpet Company and designed by famous Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi, Professor in Art of Tehran University. Seven gorgeous German chandeliers richly ornamented with millions of Swarosvski crystals and pools along the arcades reflect the mosque’s spectacular columns, which becomes even more glorious at night. The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, one of the few places where you will see this craftsmanship. The Qibla wall indicates the direction of
the Kaaba in Mecca and that should be faced during prayers and it features the 99 names (qualities or attributes) of Allah in traditional Kufic calligraphy. In the mosque it is possible to appreciate three different calligraphy styles: Kufic, Naskh and Thuluth, designed by calligraphers from the UAE, Syria and Jordan.
Opening hours Saturday to Thursday: 9am-10pm (last entry at 9:30pm) Friday: 4:30pm-10pm (last entry at 9:30pm) Complimentary 1-hour guided tours: Sunday to Thursday: 10am, 11am and 5pm. Friday: 5pm and 7pm Saturday: 10am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm. Ramadan opening hours: During the Holy Month the mosque is open daily, except Friday, from 9am to 2pm, with last entry at 1:30pm.
Top 10 tips for a great time in Abu Dhabi 1
The best time to visit the Zayed Grand Mosque is around sunset. You’ll guarantee wonderful photos when the lights come on and make a beautiful contrast with the skies. Also, that’s when the temperature is at its best.
2
Keep your weight under control jogging along Corniche Road enjoying the beach view. If you wish to swim, go ahead. Just pay attention on the floating fences that limit the 40 meters allowed to swimming and which are covered by plenty of lifeguards around.
3
Visit the Iranian Souk. Located in the Mina Port, this eclectic souk is filled with goods from Iran and other countries in the region. Small merchants carry goods on traditional wooden dhows across the Persian Sea. The sort of things tourists might buy for souvenirs include: pottery items, copper and brass, coffee pots, trays and wooden book-rests.
86
4
Travel in time at the Carpet Souk. Here you will find about 100 stores selling carpets, prayer rugs, fabrics and upholstered cushions from around the region. Enter any of these shops and you can bet there is a smiling shop owner ready to sell you whatever it is you desire.
5
The Heritage Village is located at the breakwater near Marina Mall. This is a reconstructed local village with displays of traditional crafts as well as farming methods. It is also possible to ride a camel (for a small charge) and buy souvenirs here.
6
Walk on the beach. One of the beautiful places is Bateen Beach, on the south side of the island. Very family oriented and good for walking and swimming. Beautiful views of the bridge to nowhere, the new Hudariyat Bridge.
7
Enchant yourself with the fountains and exhibits at Emirates Palace Hotel. Just make sure the men are in pants and the ladies in knee covering attire. This is the place to go if you want to get actual gold bars out of an ATM machine.
8
Art lovers should stop by the Saadiyat Island. It is Abu Dhabi’s developing cultural center, presently housing the Manarat Al Saadiyat, the “place of enlightenment”. This art venue features numerous galleries, a theatre, educational programs and a restaurant.
9
People watch. Wherever you go you will be surrounded by people who are different from you. With over 200 nationalities living here, you will see all manner of dress and head coverings.
10
Listen to the magical, mystical, lyrical call to prayer from the city’s mosques. Five times day it swells and sounds around you.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 01 02 -- 2017 2017 Number
87 3
DID YOU KNOW?
88
Jiu-Jitsu World
DID YOU KNOW?
The origin of
medals WORDS AND IMAGE: ANE NUNES
Several types of competitive activities in a non-military field, especially athletics, also have the medal as the prize. A gold medal is the highest achievement and usually it’s made of gold or another yellow metal like brass. In true, at least a fraction of gold is used to form of plating or alloying in its manufacture. Other medals compound the prize set, like the silver medal, which is made of silver or other grey metal like steel, and the bronze medal. Occasionally, platinum medals can be awarded. However, medals were not awarded at the ancient Olympic Games. In that time, only one winner per event was crowned with ‘kotinos’, an olive wreath made of wild olive leaves from a sacred tree near to the temple of Zeus, at Olympia, Greece. In his famous play ‘Plutus’, Aristophanes made a remark why victorious athletes are crowned with wreath made of wild olive instead of gold. Herodotus maybe gave us the answer in his story of the ‘Battle of Thermophylae’ (‘Battle of the Hot Gate’) when he wrote: “Good heavens! What kind of men are these against whom you have brought us to fight? Men who do not compete for possessions, but for honor”. In this battle King Leonidas of Sparta commanded 300 Spartans against the Persian Empire of Xerxes during the second Persian invasion of Greece. As time went by, winners got more rewards for their achievements. In the modern Olympic Games, the olive leaves were substituted by medals. The Olympic medals designate the first three ‘Ages of Man’ according to the Greek mythology: (1) The Golden Age, when men lived among the gods, the Silver Age, where youth lasted a hundred years, and Bronze Age, the era of heroes. The custom of awarding the sequence of gold, silver and bronze medals for the first three highest achievers dates from the 18th century, with the National Association of Amateur Athletes in the United States awarding such medals in 1884. This standard was adopted for Olympic competition at the 1904 Summer Olympics. At the 1896 event, silver was awarded to winners and bronze to runners-up. In 1900, most winners received cups or trophies while the next three Olympics (1904, 1908 and 1912) awarded the winners with solid gold medals, but the medals themselves were smaller. The use of gold rapidly declined with the onset of the First and Second World Wars. Today every competitor is proud to receive a medal. As the ancient Greeks described, it’s a honor for each warrior.
Number 02 - 2017
89
RULES BOOK WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE, UAEJJF RULES BOOK
Do you know the
rules of the game? Jiu-Jitsu rules keep evolving as the game evolves on the mats around the world. Sometimes, staying up to date is hard. A careful read of the rules book will help you to be in comply the next time you step on the mats. Here are three important points every competitor need to know. Go to uaejjf.org/pages/uaejjfRules for the complete rules book.
Is your Gi ready for competition
You trained hard, you watched your diet, you made weight fine and now you are ready to compete. Then, at the last minute, your gi is not approved by the gi checker. Imagine the size of the disappointment. So, the best strategy is to be prepared and have your gi ready for check before your first match. The rules book states: Patches may only be affixed in authorized regions of the gi, as depicted in the illustration. They should be of cotton fabric and properly seamed. All loose patches or in unauthorized regions of the gi will be removed by the gi inspectors. Take a look at the image and have your armor ready.
Watch where you put your leg
Knee reaping is a big no-no. All athletes have to be extra careful when attacking foot locks or leg locks so they don’t put the opponent’s knees under peril of being twisted. The rule book is clear about it and predicts immediate disqualification for the athletes that do the following: Knee ripping is characterized by when one of the athletes places his thigh behind the leg of his opponent and passes his calf on top of the opponent’s body above the knee, placing his foot beyond the vertical midline of the opponent’s body and applying pressure on his opponents knee from the outside while keeping the foot of the leg at risk stuck between his hip and armpit.
Double guard pullers better move
The clock is ticking for guard pullers. According to the rules, if both athletes pull guard at the same time, the referee will count 10 seconds to see if any action takes place. The book reads: If at end of this 10 second countdown, even if the athletes are moving, one of the athletes does not reach the top position, does not have a submission in hold, or is not imminently completing a point scoring move, the referee will stop the fight and give a penalty to both athletes. In this situation, the referee will restart the combat in standing position. So, know that you have to be quick when looking for that berimbolo setup, otherwise you will be back to your feet. 90
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 01 02 - 2017
3 91
COMPETITION
Breaking down the workings of the 2017 ADWPJJC brackets
Mackenzie Dern (USA) vs. Vanessa Oliveira (BRA)
More countries represented in Jiu-Jitsu’s biggest and most prestigious championship WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE
The UAEJJF is working hard to make athletes from more countries present at the sport’s biggest stage. Being a part of the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is the goal of every competitor that enters any event in the annual UAEJJF calendar. With that in mind, the Federation introduced the Athlete’s World Rank at the beginning of the 2016/2017 season to allow more diversity on the adult and master 1 brown belt and black belt divisions starting at the 2017 ADWPJJC. The ranking connects all regional, International Pro, National Pro, Grand Slam events with the ADWPJJC. Athletes are rewarded with points for their results in each event forming a overall ranking. At the end of the season, the ranking will
92
Jiu-Jitsu World
determine which athletes are the best in their geographic regions. As an example, athletes from the USA, Brazil, Japan and other countries will be selected and seeded on the brackets of the ADWPJJC according to their ranking. The brackets at the ADWPJJC starting in 2017 will work following a two-stages logic. The best athlete of each country will be automatically qualified for the main bracket (starting at the eight finals, quarterfinals or semifinals). All other athletes ranked will compete in what is called World Pro Country Qualifiers. Athletes from the same country will compete among themselves to determine the other representative for the country in the main bracket. The runners up of the main brackets will compete in the repeache for the bronze medal in a style similar to the olympic wrestling competitions. Once on the main bracket, the UAEJJF will make sure to place athletes from the same country on the same side of the bracket, so the final match is always between athletes from different countries. The goal of the UAEJJF is to promote more diversity in terms of countries represented in the main bracket of the most important event of the calendar. It will also be an incentive for athletes to take part in regional events with the assertion that they will have the opportunity to compete at the acute phases of the ADWPJJC. The changes in the seeding method at the ADWPJJC will also include the lower belts from blue belt to purple belt. There will be no limitation of athletes per country, but athletes from the same country will be placed on the same side of the bracket. The UAEJJF wants to guarantee final matches between athletes of different countries. In 2017, for the first time the UAEJJF has removed white belt divisions from the ADWPJJC itself and made them part of the recently created World Jiu-Jitsu Festival. The goal for the future is to make the ADWPJJC and the Grand Slam events for brown belts and black belts only.
Leandro Lo (BRA) vs. Keenan Cornelius (USA)
Faisal Al Kitbe (UAE) vs. Jackson Sousa (BRA)
Marcus Buchecha (BRA) vs. Alex Trans (DEN)
Number 02 - 2017
93
OLYMPIC MOVEMENT
A global sport Jiu-Jitsu to be part of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and 2018 Asian Games More and more, Jiu-Jitsu is becoming part of the olympic movement. After being part of the 2016 Asian Beach Games, the sport will now be featured in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on September 17-27, 2017. This will be the first OCA Games to be held in the Central Asian country. The host city contract signing ceremony took place in Kuwait on December 19, 2010. The 5th AIMAG will take place in the Olympic Village, a multi-purpose sports facility which is being constructed in the capital. The complex will feature 30 venues, and the first phase of construction is estimated at US$ 2 billion. In addition to the 45 NOCs of the OCA, the following 17 NOCs from Oceania will participate in the Games: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. Seven associate members of ONOC will also compete: New Caledonia, Tokelau, Niue, Norfolk Island, Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna, Northern Marianas. The following sports will be included for the 5th AIMAG: Chess, Futsal, Tennis, Muay Thai, Sambo, Kurash, Jiu-Jitsu, Bowling, Cycling (track), Swimming, Indoor Athletics, Weightlifting (Powerlifting), Basketball, Taekwondo (WTF), Dance Sport, Kickboxing, Belt Wrestling, Wrestling (FS/Greco Roman), Cue Sport (Billiards and Snooker). The OCA President said other sports would be considered in order to promote the Olympic sports movement in Turkmenistan. Another major development for Jiu-Jitsu was the inclusion in the 2018 Asian Games, the second largest sporting event in the world, behind 94
only to the Olympic Games. The 18th Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, on August 18 – September 2, 2018. This will be the first time Jiu-Jitsu will be featured in the Asian Games and it is a powerful prove of how the sport is already a truly global movement. The 18th Asian Games will gather thousands of athletes from 45 different countries. The event will feature 42 sport modalities. Between 10,000 and 15,000 volunteers will be recruited, and the opening and closing ceremonies at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in downtown Senayan will feature around 10,000 performers. The Jiu-Jitsu competitions will be organized by the JuJitsu Asian Union (JJAU) and the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). The Olympic Committe of Asia (OCA) decided on the final number of sports to be featured on the games during a meeting in Indonesia at the beginning of March 2017. Jiu-Jitsu World
GET READY
FOR THE
ABU DHABI WORLD PARAJIU-JITSU FESTIVAL 2017 - PARATHLETES
14 APRIL
UAEJJF.COM #ADWPJJC17
IPIC ARENA OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
GOLD SPONSOR
Number Number 02 01 -- 2017 2017
OFFICIAL AIRLINE
EXCLUSIVE AUTOMOTIVE PARTNER
SILVER SPONSOR
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
DIAMOND SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
953
LIFESTYLE TIPS WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: MORGUEFILE, IVAN TRINDADE
Live the Jiu-Jitsu way of life Do you want to make the gentle art an even more integral part of your life? There is a lot you can do to make your daily routine healthier. What you eat and drink, what you do between training sessions, how much you sleep, how well you treat your injuries and even the way you react to life’s challenges are all aspects of your routine that can affect your quality of life positively or negatively. With that in mind, we bring you five tips to improve your lifestyle on and off the mats.
Strong mind, powerful warrior
A strong warrior is humble in victory and resilient in defeat. You achieve that with a strong mind by listening to those who have more experience and have lived through the experiences that are new to you. The habit of learning from your own mistakes is one of the most important ones you need to acquire throughout your life, on and off the mat. Learn from your training partners, but also learn from your opponents. Leave your ego at the door and keep an open mind to absorb as much knowledge as you can. Ask questions. Remember, the black belt is nothing more than a white belt that never quit.
Natural, healthy and delicious
The more your body has to work to get what it needs to function the better. That’s one of the reasons why processed food is so bad for your health. The Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle needs to include a balanced diet full of natural food that will give you the boost you need to smash your opponents on the mat. Avoid too much sugar, too much salt, too much grains and other carbohydrates. Also, don’t go overboard on meat, specially fat red meat. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and white meats are your friends, as well as more frequent meals consisting of smaller portions and lots of water. Most of all, listen to your body to find out what is the best fuel for the machine to run at full throttle.
96
Jiu-Jitsu World
Count your sheep
Every warrior needs to rest properly. A rested body and a rested mind will function better on and off the mat when you need the most. There are a few ingredients that contribute to a good night of sleep ranging between seven to nine hours of shut eye. First of all, keep hydrated and avoid stimulant foods in the afternoon and later. Once you get to bed, make it comfortable so you can really enjoy being there. Choose the right mattress for your weight, the right pillow for the way you sleep, the right temperature, noise and level of darkness for the room. Also, make sure to turn off electronic devices like cell phones. With all that, we can almost guarantee you’ll have a great night of sleep to wake up refreshed the next morning and hit the mats.
Share the art
The gentle art is such a transforming experience in one’s life that we simply cannot avoid becoming campaigners for its efficiency right away. That’s why we are always trying to bring family members and friends to train with us. It’s good for them and it’s good for us. Training is awesome, but training with people we know and love is even better. Jiu-Jitsu is known for healing relationships and also creating almost unbreakable bonds between people. So, jump in the train for a better life and bring as many people with you as you can.
Take care of yourself
Jiu-Jitsu can be hard on the body, specially if you have a more extensive schedule of training. Injuries will happen, as well as chronic ailments due to the mat wear and tear. So, if you can’t completely avoid bad things from happening, at least you can do the right thing to recover fast and get back to the mat sooner than later. First of all, don’t overtrain. Know your limits and stop when you feel you reached them. Second, don’t try to ride out nagging injuries. A back pain, a sore ankle, a cracking shoulder are all signs that something is not well. So, pay attention to your body, slow down and look for professional help. Oh, and once you did that, follow what your doctor told you to do.
Number 02 - 2017
97
98
Jiu-Jitsu World
Number 02 - 2017
99
100
Jiu-Jitsu World