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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
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Jiu-Jitsu World #9
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Abu Dhabi Stars
Learn from the men and women that wrote their names in ADWPJJC history
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A Glorious Ending The fifth leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam takes the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu to London in a hair-raising season finale
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More...
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Year full of thrills
Greetings
His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi
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Editorial
Relive the greatest moments of the 2017/2018 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam JiuJitsu World Tour as it brought the highest level of action to fans around the planet
The moment we’ve been waiting for
Interview
American Prodigy
Get Social
From London to the world
Competition
Keeping Jiu-Jitsu in motion
The only way to Abu Dhabi
Understand the workings of the UAEJJF annual athletes ranking
Around the Globe
Join the Global Movement
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Decade of heroes Relive some of the biggest thrills of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship since the first edition in 2009
Profile
Eldar Rafigaev
Profile
Charlotte Von Baumgarten
UAE News
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Travel & Roll
Six experiences you need to have while in Abu Dhabi
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Lifestyle Tips Eat a Rainbow
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Greetings
Building on today’s success for a better tomorrow 14
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The Chairman of the United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation, His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi shares his views on the groundbreaking work that is being done by the Federation to incentive the sport in the country and around the world. Following the vision and intelligent leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAEJJF is working tirelessly for a greater future for Jiu-Jitsu.
Welcome to the 10th anniversary of the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu
Championship. As we reach this important milestone, the UAE, Abu Dhabi and the UAEJJF are ready to host thousands of athletes from all over the world. We sincerely hope you have a great time on and off the mats.
The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship has seen
remarkable development in the last decade. Despite the great support it has received since the beginning, the inaugural Championship had just
400 athletes participating. However, with relentless work and dedication, this figure now exceeds 9,000 participants, and the Championship grew from a 2-day event into a 14-day one. In the beginning, 10 local black
belts participated in the Championship, now there are 600. Furthermore, the followership and audience has risen dramatically, from 50,000 to
more than one billion across TV channels and social media platforms. At the same time, prizes and awards are now valued in the millions. It is safe to say that the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu
Championship has cemented itself on the global Jiu-Jitsu calendar
as a prestigious and celebrated event. From one edition to the next,
the number and range of potential athletes has grown, now including
adult males and females, youth and para-athlete categories. In addition to Jiu-Jitsu competitions, the Championship has become a platform
for recreational activities, social awareness and cultural and sporting initiatives as well as technical and educational workshops.
We could never have achieved our objectives without the support of
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince
of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces.
His Highness has always been a source of inspiration for us and we are fortunate to have him on our side. For every single Jiu-Jitsu player in
UAE, the ultimate honour has always been meeting His Highness after winning a local, intercontinental or international championship.
We wish all competitors the best of luck on the mats of The 2018
Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and trust once
again that there will be some incredible moments — the likes of which only Jiu-Jitsu can deliver.
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Editorial #9
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 Editorial Production: Gentle Art Media Advertising Director: Ane Nunes Newsroom: news@jiujitsuworldmag.com Advertise with us: marketing@jiujitsuworldmag.com Customer Care: info@jiujitsuworldmag.com
Jiu-Jitsu World Magazine - Head Office: Capital Tower, 17th Floor 33rd St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates PO BOX 110004
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www.jiujitsuworldmag.com
The moment we’ve been waiting for
The Photo by Ane Nunes Artwork by Henrique Diniz
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time is now. After an entire season of thrills all over the world, the grand finale is finally here. This year, it’s extra special, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the most important tournament in the sport’s history. From April 16 to April 28, the best of the best athletes in the world will once again gather in Abu Dhabi. In a 14-day celebration the 2018 ADWPJJC will feature competitors of all genders , ages, skill levels and also para-athletes. This year’s event will also feature the first ever King of Mats, a one of a kind competition that will put face to face the biggest champions in the ADWPJJC history. We cannot wait for the thrills. For such a special occasion, we had to prepare a very special issue as
Jiu-Jitsu World
well. Jiu-Jitsu World #9 is a 120-page document for the Jiu-Jitsu fan savor and save for ever. We dig into the rich story of the ADWPJJC, featuring the most memorable moments that took place in Abu Dhabi in the past decade. We also highlight the heroes that made the history of the event, as they share their valuable lessons to become champions. The issue also presents you with the final thrills of the 2017/2018 season, allowing you to go back to the mind blowing action at the final leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour, in London, which took place on March 10-11. As always, we are here to provide you a complete experience as a Jiu-Jitsu athlete and/or fan. Issue #9 brings a colorful guide
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that will make your meal plate a lot more healthy. The Travel and Roll section brings you six experiences for those coming to Abu Dhabi to attend the ADWPJJC. From feeding a falcon to riding a super car, there are options for everyone. We hope to see you at the Mubadala Arena, competing or not. The 2018 ADWPJJC will surely be an event for the history books and we hope you have a great experience in the UAE. Have a great read stay on the mats! See you back here on our next issue.
Ivan Trindade
Editor in Chief
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INTERVIEW
From New York to the world, Gianni Grippo built a very respectable career on the mats. One of the most successful representatives of American talent in Jiu-Jitsu, Grippo has collected medals all over the world, including two titles in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, in 2015 and 2017. In this exclusive interview, Gianni talks about his beginnings in the sport and how he maintains a famous work ethic that allowed him to rise above the competition. JIU-JITSU WORLD: You are one of the biggest talents in the black belt division today. Can you tell us how and why did you start training Jiu-Jitsu? GIANNI GRIPPO: To sum it up I started training because of the push of my parents. I did a lot of different sports as a kid, Muay Thai, boxing and competitive swimming just to name a few. Then eventually through a boxing gym I was training at, a friend mentioned Jiu-Jitsu and the Renzo Gracie Academy. With that, my dad found an opportunity for his son to try something new and Jiu-Jitsu happened to be what stuck. The rest is history. Who were the most important influences in your upbringing towards the Black Belt? What were the most important lessons they taught you? I honestly don’t even know where to start with this one. I’ve had the opportunity to work and learn from so many incredible people directly and indirectly. While John Danaher taught me personally about the importance of being diligent with your technique, I also learned a lot from people like Rubens Cobrinha, the Mendes brothers, Romulo Barral, Leandro Lo by watching their approach
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in competition or in training. Today, I’d say Marcelo Garcia has had a big influence on my game. Of course we have different styles but in the way that I attack with my style, I’ve taken a lot from him. He’s taught me mainly how to be relentless. You have two titles as a black belt in Abu Dhabi. Which moments were extra special in your campaigns for the gold medal in 2015 and 2017? Both were special in their own way. In 2015 I was thrilled not because of the gold medal but because I overcame a personal hurdle when I beat Leonardo Saggioro in the semifinal. He had been a guy where our previous matches had been really close but I was always just a little behind. Winning that match in 2015 by taking the back was very satisfying. That year I wasn’t too happy after the final because even though I won, we got caught up in a bit of a stalling position and not much happened. I come for the win, but I also come for action. Although, my attitude changed after I received my cash prize. In 2017 the win was important to me because I was coming off a tough 2016 where I dealt with some injuries and poor performances. For a little while I questioned myself. Winning the ADWPJJC last year reaffirmed to myself that there is no limit to what I can do in this sport. Since then I’ve gone from “just wanting to be one of the best” to knowing “I can be the best.” In 2018, you are going to compete for your third title at the black belt division of the ADWPJJC. How’s your training leading up to the competition? The training has been going great since I’m having the most fun right now being on the mats. Things are good because
Jiu-Jitsu World
American Prodigy As he prepares for great challenges at the ADWPJJC, Gianni Grippo reflects on the beginnings of his career and shares the secrets that allowed him to become one of the most successful athletes of his generation Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
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I’m never overthinking about any competition, even something as big as the ADWPJJC. Everyday I’m just focused on improving my game and at the same time, enjoying the process. But let’s just say I’m hungry for that potential 3rd gold. When I get something once, my instinct is to just be relentless and go after it again and again and again. This year you will also compete in the King of Mats. How excited are you for the chance of becoming one of the first champions in this new event? The opportunity to be “first” at something is always very exciting. But I’m not really thinking about that (nor the cash prize.) I’m taking this as another tournament, big of course, but business as usual. King of the Mats or a local tournament, I approach them all the same. You have been one of the most active athletes in the UAEJJF circuit. What is for you the importance of having a circuit of tournaments that award athletes for their efforts and results with big money prizes? It’s so important because for many, including myself, it’s our livelihood. I owe so much to the UAEJJF but I can’t even count how many times the winners money has helped a broke, full-time athlete like me make that rent money. I consider the UAEJJF one of the pioneers of money prizes in Jiu-Jitsu, and it’s awesome that they’re only getting bigger and better as the years go on.
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GET SOCIAL
From London to the world Jiu-Jitsu crowd take over the internet to share their pride of being part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam London Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Instagram
The warriors at the final leg of the 2017/2018 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour had a lot to say before, during and after the awesome matches at the Copper Box Arena. On March 10-11, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, on the east side of England’s capital hosted the Jiu-Jitsu crowd. Our heroes hit the social media with the same appetite they hit the mats to share their results and experiences. They learned in defeat. They celebrated victory. They wanted more. Using the hashtags #adgslondon and #abudhabigrandslam, competitors and spectators flooded all social medias to share their pride. Here are a few examples of the celebration that happened in London and spread all over the world. Our next stop is the already historic 10th anniversary edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, on April 16-28. Use the hashtag #adwpjjc18 and hopefully we’ll see you here next month.
Follow us on the social media /jiujitsuworldmag @jiujitsuworldmag @jitsuworldmag www.jiujitsuworldmag.com
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COMPETITION
Keeping Jiu-Jitsu in motion A look back into how the Olympic Council of Asia (OC Asia), the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU) and the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) promoted the sport this past season all over the world Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: OC Asia, JJAU, JJIF Wroclaw, Poland July 20-30, 2017
JJIF 2017 World Games The sports community gathered in Wroclaw, Poland, on July 20-30, 2017, to compete in 30 different modalities. Over 3,500 athletes from 112 countries competed from the awe of the crowd on 24 venues. Jiu-Jitsu was also a part of the show with 129 athletes from 41 countries. They competed both in the combat modality of Jiu-Jitsu and the Ne-Waza modality. At the end of the event, France finished first with six medals in total and three gold medals, followed by Germany with seven medals and two gold medals and Poland with seven medals in total and two gold medals. In the Ne-waza division, results showed how the sport is developing in different parts of the world. Belgium’s Amal Amjahid won the women’s open class division while Hungary’s Kristof Szucs conquered the men’s open class.
Hanoi, Vietnan August 12-13, 2017
JJAU 2nd Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship The 2nd Asian Ju-Jitsu championship gathered hundreds of competitors in Hanoi, Vietnam, on August 12-13, 2017 for a full weekend of JiuJitsu. The medal table shows that the sport is growing roots all over the region. The final count by nations put Thailand in first place with 17 gold medals, 17 silver medals, 26 bronze medals; the United Arab Emirates with 10 gold medals, 8 silver medals, 3 bronze medals; Iran in third place with 9 gold medals, 3 silver medals, 7 bronze medals.
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Bogota, Colombia November 24-26, 2017
JJIF 2017 World Championship
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan September 17-27, 2017
OC ASIA 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games The sport universe in Asia and Oceania converged to the exotic capital city of Turkmenistan on September 17-27, 2017. Around 6,000 athletes from 65 countries competed in 21 different modalities in 15 venues all around the beautiful brand new Olympic complex built in Ashgabat. JiuJitsu was one of the sports present in the program. The main event was the Ne-Waza competition, organized by the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU), it featured on September 18-19 over two hundred of the best competitors in the continent. After two days of very tough matches, here are the results. The medal tally was fairly well divided between the countries. After three days of competitions in all three different styles of Jiu-Jitsu at play in Ashgabat, the top three nations were. 1st – Turkmenistan – 7 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze, Total 19; 2nd – United Arab Emirates – 4 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze, Total 15; 3rd – Thailand – 4 gold, 2 silver, 7 bronze, Total 12.
For three days, the breathtaking city of Bogota became the center of the Ju-Jitsu universe. On November 24-26, the 2017 Senior World Championship organized by the Ju-Jitsu International Federation took the capital of Colombia by storm. Athletes from over 34 countries took to the mats set up at the Palacio de Deportes for three days of insane action. The event featured some of the best competitors in the world in three different styles of matches: Fighting, Duo Mix and Ne-Waza. In the final medal count, results were: 1st – Colombia; 2nd – Belgium; 3rd – Thailand. In the Ne-Waza teams competition, Poland beat Russia in the final to win first place. Kazakhstan and Panama completed the podium in third place.
Abu Dhabi, UAE March 1-5, 2018
JJIF 9th Juniors and Aspirants World Championship
Jakarta, Indonesia March 22-24, 2018
OC ASIA 2018 Asian Games Jiu-Jitsu Test Event
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Organized by the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation, Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU) and Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), the world championship gathered 583 competitors with their delegations representing 40 different countries around the world. Russia took the 1st place among the 40 countries with 16 gold medals, 11 silver medals and 31 bronze medal, while the UAE brought their best level into 2nd place with 10 gold medals, 7 silver medals and 15 bronze medals, followed by Thailand in the 3rd place with 9 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 4 bronze medals.
For the first time ever, Jiu-Jitsu will be part of the program at the Asian Games. The 2018 edition, scheduled August 18 – September 2, in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, will feature the sport in a huge step forward for Jiu-Jitsu. With that in mind, the JuJitsu Asian Union (JJAU) held a flawless test event on March 22-24, at the Tennis Indoor Senayan. The test event featured not only competition, but also referee training and workshop. As the test event came to a close, there was the certainty that Jakarta is ready to host Jiu-Jitsu athletes from all over the continent for a historic moment in the sport’s history.
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ATHLETE’S RANKING
The only way to
Abu Dhabi Understand the workings of the UAEJJF annual athletes ranking Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: UAEJJF
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The 2017/2018 season brings a few novelties regarding the annual athletes ranking. For the present season, the UAEJJF will award 200 travel packages for the top competitors in each continent. Therefore, more than ever the ranking is the pathway to the 2018 Abu Dhabi World Professional JiuJitsu Championship as well as the big money prizes for the best athletes at the end of the season. The UAEJJF is also adding prizes for the best adult male black belts in each of the six continents, a way to make more and more athletes compete in regional events. Competitors have huge incentives to take part in as many events as they can. 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, 2017 and ends on April 30, 2018). There are six kinds of events in terms of how many points you’ll get: 1 - ADWPJJC – 6 stars; 2 - Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – 5 stars; 3 - Continental Pro – 4 stars; 4 - National Pro – 3 stars; 5 - International Pro – 2 stars; 6 - Regional Tournament – 1 star. Here are the number of points athletes will earn on each event depending on their performance.
Here are a few examples of how to count an athlete’s points.
How many rankings are there?
The UAEJJF has divided the ranking in the following categories: Adult Division
- Best International Male Black Belt of the year - Best Continental Male Black Belt of The year: Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Africa, Oceania - Best International Female Brown/Black belt of the Year - Best International Rookie of the year (Brown Belt) Master Division
- Best International Male Black belt of the Year (Master 1) Academies
- Best International Academy of the year
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Who gets the travel packages to compete at the 2018 ADWPJJC? The Federation will award 200 travel packages for the top athletes of over 60 countries in each continent. Only two athletes per country inside each continent will get travel packages. The cut off date to add points for this season is March 12. Here are the packages to be awarded to each continent in each age/belt division. 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 male adult black belt division alone will award US$70,000, while the female 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. The tables here show the main prizes. Do only athletes in the UAEJJF ranking can compete in the 2018 ADWPJJC? No. The 2018 ADWPJJC is open to all athletes who are UAEJJF members. What else do I need to know about the UAEJJF ranking? If a fighter made the weight for their division and is alone in their bracket they will be moved to a heavier division or higher belt. Points will be credited when there’s a no-show after the bracket is published and an athlete have no matches. Divisions with two players will run normally and fighters won’t be moved to heavier/higher division. Whenever belt divisions are merged, the points will be credited according to the fighter current belt. Ranking points will not be transferred from one belt rank to the next one. Raking points will not be transferred from one age division to another. If a fighter changes nationality during a season or qualification period they will lose all points in the UAEJJF World Rank.
Scan here for more info
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Abu Dhabi Grand Slam London
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A Glorious Ending The fifth leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam takes the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu to London in a hair-raising season finale Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes, Ivan Trindade
The 2017/2018 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
Jiu-Jitsu World Tour had the grand finale it deserved. The
copper Box Arena, at the majestic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in London, was the perfect venue for a two-day
celebration of the sport that is experiencing non-stop growth all over the world. Huge names such as Paulo Miyao, Ana Carol Vieira, Jaime Canuto, Hiago George, Charlotte Von
Baumgarten, Isaque Bahiense, Thiago Sรก and many others pleased the crowd on the stands and viewers all over the
globe with thrilling matches from beginning to end. With the best images to help you relive the action, here is how each adult black belt weight class played out.
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Male Black Belt
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56 kg
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The Key Master
Who’s able to dethrone José Carlos Lima? Apparently, no one. The Brazilian black belt once again finished his weight class on the top. In London, in two matches, José Carlos first beat João Kuraoka 4-2 in a tough match and then managed a 2-0 lead over Andrea Verdemare to take the gold medal home. Lima finished the 2017/2018 season with four gold medals in five Grand Slam events.
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Male Black Belt
62 kg
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Lone Ranger
This time, Hiago George didn’t have the companionship of his teammate João Miyao to reach the top of the weight class. Alone, he fought once to reach the final, beating Pedro Clementino 5-0 on advantages. Hiago’s opponent in the gold medal match would be Korea’s Wanki Chae, who beat Jorge Nakamura 4 - 0 and then finished Wellington Lima in the other semifinal. Hiago George worked hard on his top game to put pressure on Wanki Chae and eventually get a guard pass in place to go ahead 3-0 in the board to secure his second gold medal in the season.
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Male Black Belt
69 kg
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Back to Back Miyao
The Copper Box Arena wen’t quiet whenever Paulo Miyao stepped on the mat. He fought twice Saturday to secure a spot in the final. He first choked Max Campos from the back and then beat Jan Basso 9-0 in the semifinal. The final opponent, on Sunday, would be Victor Otoniel, who took the long way to the final. He beat Alex Cabanes 6-4, then finished Eduardo Vieira and finally outscored Alexandre Vieira 5-2 in the semifinal. The gold medal match was one-sided, as Miyao worked his way to Otoniel’s back and got a choke in place to secure the gold medal.
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Male Black Belt
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Leader of the Pack
After being absent in Abu Dhabi, Jaime Canuto wanted to return with a bang in London. In the most crowded bracket, Canuto fought three times to reach the final. He caught Krzysztof Suchorabski with a flying armbar, then outscored Bruno Borges 13-0 and finally met Kywan Gracie in the semifinal, settled with an armbar after a guard pass and mount. On the other side, Marcos Paulo Costa also had a long way to the final, beating Kenji Sette 4-2, Oliver Lovell 2-1 on advantages and finally Rafael Mansur 2-0. For the gold medal, Jaime Canuto had to work hard to secure the gold medal. After getting an armlock in place, which Marcos Paulo Costa defended for over three minutes, one advantage was the narrow lead that granted Canuto the title.
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No space for error
Isaque Bahiense knew he could not allow the referees to decide the title once again, like it happened in Abu Dhabi. In London, Bahiense had a tough route to the final. He beat Igor Sousa 4-0 and then JosÊ Henrique Cardoso 2-0. The opponent in the gold medal match would be once again Charles Negromonte, who fought twice to reach the final, first finishing Bruno Reale with a choke from the mount and then Sweden’s Max Lindblad by referee decision. In a rematch of the division final at the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi in January, this time Isaque Bahiense went in the match decided to finish it quickly. He found a toehold that ended the match before the halfway mark and secured a much deserved gold medal.
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Male Black Belt
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94 kg
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Home boy
Jackson Sousa held his home turf with a solid performance during the weekend. In two matches on day 1, he caught Steve Combourg with a foot lock and then choked Ben Hodgkinson from the back to reach the final. Paulo Pinto was the surprise element in the bracket. He beat favorite Adam Wardzinski by one penalty in the semifinal to meet Sousa in the final. In a heated match, brave Paulo Pinto went full throttle against Jackson Sousa, who was able to score a 2-0 lead early with a takedown. The match went on with a fierce standing game all the way to the end when Jackson was able to land on side control and let the clock run out to secure his gold medal.
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Male Black Belt
110 kg
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Close encounter
Thiago Sá wanted bad the gold medal in London. He fought twice on day 1 to reach the final. He beat Antonio Junior 10-0 and then finished Lukasz Lepianka in the semifinal. Champion at the Grand Slam Rio, Poland’s Gerard Labinski wanted his second title in the season. In the semifinal, he beat Matthew Leighton by referee decision after a 0-0 tie on points. In a hair-raising six minutes, Thiago Sá and Gerard Labinski traded sweeps to build a 4-4 tie with an advantage each one as well. It came to the referees to decide the winner and the trio unanimously pointed to Thiago.
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Female Brown/Black belt
49 kg
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Spanish Fury
It was now or never for the two athletes in the weight class. In a Spain vs. Italy clash, better for the Spanish athlete. In a single match, Arantazazu Romero claimed the gold medal with a referee decision win over Serena Gabrielli.
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55 kg
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Show of force
Belgium’s Amal Amjahid arrived in London with a bronze medal conquered at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. This time, she went all the way. Amjahid gave her first display of what she wanted to do in the semifinal by defeating reigning champion Amanda Nogueira by referee decision. Her opponent in the final would be Holland’s Rose El Sharouni who beat Mayara Abrahão 7-2. In the gold medal match, Amal imposed her game on Holland’s Rose El Sharouni to build a 15-0 lead and finally finish the match with a bow and arrow choke.
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62 kg
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Confirmation campaign
Germany’s Charlotte Von Baumgarten is now a back to back champion. She caught Nadia Melo with an armlock to reach the final and meet Larissa Paes, who beat Julia Maele by ref decision and then Hannah Rauch 3-0 in the semifinal. The final was a match that will stuck in the crowd’s minds as Charlotte and Larissa put on a show. Larissa started out stronger and got a sweep and a guard pass to score 5 points. Charlotte fought hard to sweep back and in the end take the back to turn the board in her favor 6-5. Larissa was very brave not to tap to a bow and arrow choke, but could not avoid the defeat. In the end, a round of applauses for both warriors.
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Smooth Sailing
Ana Carol Vieira did what was expected of a reigning ADWPJJC champion. She fought twice and finished both her opponents on her way to the final. She caught Katherine Hill with a katagatame and then repeated the recipe on Barbara Ruiken. Carol’s opponent in the final would be Thamara Silva, who beat Rana Qubbaj 19-0, then Nathalia Zumba by ref decision and finally caught Ane Svendsen with a foot lock. Ana Carol Vieira was the favorite for the title and she confirmed her status. In a quick match, she pulled guard and smoothly worked out an armlock that left Thamara Ferreira no other option than tapping.
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feMale brown/Black Belt
90 kg
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Pride of England
Britain’s Arizona Brodie had to step on the mat only once, beating Laura Barker 3-0 to reach the final. Laila Carneiro fought twice to reach the final, beating Jessica de Andrade 5-2 and after that getting a referee decision win over Grace Ferla. Fighting at home, Arizona put a lot of pressure on Laila to build a 9-0 lead in the scoreboard and secure the gold medal.
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There were a lot of thrills in the master 1 division. The athletes over 30 years of age displayed the highest level of skills on the mats. Here are the champions.
Masters 1
In the 77kg division, Sandro Vieira quickly choked Denilson Pimenta from the back to take the gold medal home.
In the 110kg division, Mauricio Antunes beat Henrique Pereira 1-0 on advantages for the title.
Romulo Azevedo is the 85kg division champion after a 2-0 win over Alan Nascimento in the final.
Thiago Marques beat Pablo Silva by referees decision after a 0-0 tie on points to win the 69kg division title.
Two local branches of international teams dominated the competition with an UAE team also having an amazing performance. In the end, the results were: 1st – Checkmat International – 9920pts; 2nd – Roger Gracie – 5940pts; 3rd – Al Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Club – 4100pts
An advantage for a hail-mary toehold gave Andre Sá the 3-2 lead over Celso Junior and the 94kg division gold medal.
In the 62kg division final, Gabriel Moraes beat Adriano Mineiro 7-0 to claim his fourth gold medal in the season.
Teams
Scan here for the full results.
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RETROSPECTIVE
Year full of thrills Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes, Ivan Trindade
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Relive the greatest moments of the 2017/2018 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour as it brought the highest level of action to fans around the planet
Jiu-Jitsu World
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Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
Tokyo
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July 15, 2017 Makuhari Messe Convention Center
Loads of local talent and also some of the greatest international talents got together in Japan’s capital for a full day of matches. The event also had the honorable presence of Tokyo’s Governor, Ms. Yukiko Koike, accompanied by the UAE Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Mr. Khaled Omran Alameri. The crowd on the stands and viewers all over the world were treated to great action. After all was said and done, the teams results were: 1st – Axis Jiu-Jitsu – 9180pts; 2nd – Infight Japan – 5380pts; 3rd – Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu Japan – 3080pts.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Black Belt Champions
Number 09 - 2018
Adult Male
56kg – João Carlos Kuraoka 62kg – Kazuya Kawashima 69kg – Wanki Chae 77kg – Roberto Satoshi 85kg – Isaque Bahiense 94kg – Marcos Souza 110kg – Donghwa Choi
Adult Female
49kg – Mayssa Caldas 55kg – Maiko Kurogi 62kg – Larissa Paes 70kg – Priscila Cerqueira 90kg – Nathiely de Jesus Scan here for the full results.
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Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
Los Angeles
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September 23-24, 2017 Los Angeles Convention Center
The second leg of the season landed in the USA. The country proved once again that it is one of the biggest Jiu-Jitsu hotspots in the world. Athletes from close and far away gathered in the city of angels to display their talents and awe the crowd with impressive skills. In the end, the teams results were: 1st – Alliance 6460pts; 2nd – Gracie Barra 5900pts; 3rd – Checkmat 3740pts.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Black Belt Champions
Number 09 - 2018
Adult Male 56kg – Jose Carlos Lima 62kg – João Miyao 69kg – Thiago Macedo 77kg – Renato Canuto 85kg – Victor Silverio 94kg – Lucas Barbosa 110kg – Igor Silva
Adult Female 49kg – Mayssa Bastos 55kg – Amanda Nogueira 62kg – Luiza Monteiro 70kg – Ana Carolina Vieira 90kg – Nathiely de Jesus Scan here for the full results.
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Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
Rio de Janeiro
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November 10-12, 2017 Arena Carioca 1
Brazil is a Jiu-Jitsu powerhouse and the world knows it. The third leg of the 2017/2018 season was a three-day celebration of the art that is the country’s pastime. The setting for the action was the Arena Carioca, one of the sites built for the 2016 Olympics. Jiu-Jitsu athletes from all over the country and also from many different countries in the planet landed in Rio to compete for their share of the glory. The teams results were: 1st – GF Team 25408pts; 2nd – Gracie Barra 9252pts; 3rd – Nova União 7868pts.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Black Belt Champions
Number 09 - 2018
Adult Male 56kg – Jose Carlos Lima 62kg – Hiago George 69kg – João Gonçalves 77kg – Hugo Marques 85kg – Isaque Bahiense 94kg – Patrick Gaudio 110kg – Gerard Labinski
Adult Female 55kg – Amanda Nogueira 62kg – Beatriz Mesquita 70kg – Ana Carolina Vieira 90kg – Claudia Do Val
Scan here for the full results.
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Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
Abu Dhabi
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January 12-13, 2018 Mubadala Arena
The fourth leg of the season brought the tour back to Jiu-Jitsu’s world capital. Abu Dhabi once again showed why it has become the center point for the sport in the planet. The arena at the Zayed Sports City dressed for two days of Jiu-Jitsu gala. Local talent and international stars treated the crowds to the highest levels of action during the weekend. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy, 8180pts; 2nd – Commando Group, 6680pts; 3rd – Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club, 5520pts.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Black Belt Champions
Number 09 - 2018
Adult Male 56kg – Jose Carlos Lima 62kg – João Miyao 69kg – Paulo Miyao 77kg – Flavio Vianna 85kg – Charles Negromonte 94kg – Helton Junior 110kg – Igor Silva
Adult Female 49kg – Mayssa Caldas 55kg – Amanda Nogueira 62kg – Charlotte Von Baumgarten 90kg – Samantha Cook
Scan here for the full results.
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THE 10 TH ABU DHABI WORLD PROFESSIONAL JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
20-21 APRIL | MUBADALA ARENA 68
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HISTORY
Relive some of the biggest thrills of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship since the first edition in 2009 Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes, Ivan Trindade
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Brothers in Arms
The first edition of the ADWPJJC, on May 2009, gathered most of the best athletes in the world at that time. Under the eyes of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other members of the UAE Royal family, both local talents and international stars put on a great show on the mats set up in the Tennis Stadium at the Zayed Sports City, in Abu Dhabi. Among many great matches, four battles resisted the test of time and lingered in the minds of Jiu-Jitsu fans. First, in the 66kg division, brothers Rafael Mendes and Guilherme Mendes were on the way to close out the division, solidifying their post as upcoming forces in the weight class. The final obstacle would be no other than Rubens Cobrinha, a living legend among lightweight competitors. Gui would be the first one to face Cobrinha in the semifinals. The match kicked off even, but Cobrinha was able to impose his game and work a back take. Guilherme fought back as hard as he could, but was not able to prevent the finish. The final match put Cobrinha against Rafael, in only the second time they faced each other. As it would become a common scene, the match was very close, sometimes stuck in the 50/50 guard. Rafael was able to control the flow and end the match with a small lead that granted him the title.
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The second set of matches took place in the open class. Marcelo Garcia had the Estima brothers on his way to the big final. The first challenge would be Victor Estima in the quarterfinals. Known for his highly technical game, Garcia worked his way to Victor’s back and got the tap with a choke. The second challenge would be the much heavier Braulio Estima. Marcelinho did his best to counter Estima’s dangerous guard game, but in the end couldn’t avoid getting caught in triangle that led to the tap. The first edition of the ADWPJJC was a milestone in Jiu-Jitsu’s history. Since then, the event experienced nothing but growth, becoming one of the most important tournaments in the annual calendar.
Jiu-Jitsu World
Immortal Xande
It’s not easy for any athlete to stay on the top of the class for over a decade. Xande Ribeiro is an exception. A black belt champion since the beginning of the century, Xande arrived at the 2012 ADWPJJC ready to compete against young talents over 10 years younger than him. For the second year in a row, the event was held at the ADNEC. The 4th edition of the event was the consolidation of the ADWPJJC as the most important event in the annual Jiu-Jitsu calendar. Xande walked out of the venue with two medals, gold at the 100kg division and bronze in the open class. Three matches made Xande’s campaign in Abu Dhabi one for the books. First, in the weight division semifinal, he put a damper on the energy and technique of the much younger Antônio “Cara de Sapato” Barbosa and finished with a eyeful armbar. Then in the absolute, he used the samurailike calm to dismantle a choke by Ricardo Evangelista, responding in kind with the exact same move. And lastly, back at the weight class, he swept Bernardo Faria in sensational fashion with 30 seconds left on the clock for a come-from-behind win. A gala performance.
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Faisal’s big victory In 2009 he was a blue belt, one of Jiu-Jitsu pioneers in the UAE. He was present in each and every edition of the ADWPJJC since then, always with big results. In 2014, Faisal Al Kitbe arrived at the newly built Arena at the Zayed Sports City as a brown belt. With great judo skills and a powerful top game on the ground, Faisal made his way to the brown belt open class final, where he would have to face a very talented Marcio AndrÊ, from Brazil. The stage was set for the most important match of the event for the local crowd. Only one very important spectator was still missing. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan entered the venue to watch in first person. Faisal knew his responsibility and fought accordingly. The Emirati used the weight advantage and his well known skills standing to control the match and win via referee decision for the happiness of the crowd, including Sheikh Mohammed. The ADWPJJC had its great local champion and Faisal proved that Jiu-Jitsu talent ran in Emirati blood.
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He’s still the competitor with most open class titles in ADWPJJC’s history. Brazil’s Marcus Almeida “Buchecha” won the open class division 4 times and for sure the most thrilling one was the one he won in 2014. The gold medal match put Buchecha against no other than the other big name of their generation, two-time open class champion Rodolfo Vieira. Many consider that match in Abu Dhabi the best encounter they had in their career. Buchecha started out getting in trouble. A double leg takedown attempt backfired and Rodolfo ended on top, scoring 2-0 and putting a lot of pressure on the pass. The match returned to standing and as time ran out, Buchecha had a last try at the title. A leg lock attack turned into a sweep and as the clock hit zero, Buchecha was able to secure the top position and score two points to win by advantages. Simply incredible.
Buchecha’s golden effort
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Mackenzie shocks the world Already stablished as the most important event of the calendar, the ADWPJJC arrived in 2015 also as the time of the year incredible things happened. The rule set and the 6-minute matches contributed for more thrilling encounters between some of the greatest competitors in the world. The female division, present at the ADWPJJC since 2010, featured one of those thrilling matches. Familiar (and sometimes bitter) rivals, Mackenzie Dern and Gabi Garcia met once again in the open class semifinal. The history of their matchups showed clear advantage for Gabi, heavier and stronger than Dern. This time, however, Mackenzie had a plan for the match. She used all her technique to overcome Gabi’s power and mid-match was able to perform a brilliant sweep that almost led to a back take. In the end, the referees rewarded Mackenzie with the win. She later on continued to win the open class gold medal and write her name in ADWPJJC history.
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Olympic feeling The 2017 ADWPJJC took the event to a whole different level. It had become a 14-day affair with matches featuring athletes of all ages, genders, skill levels and even para-athletes. On the matches, another significant change was the limitation of two athletes per final bracket in the adult black belt division, which gave the event an even more international feeling. Other than that, almost every final had athletes from two different countries. Two very talented American grapplers broke through the Brazilian domination in the black belt division. Mikey Musumeci and Gianni Grippo represented the country with lots of competence. Mikey left no survivors on his way to the 62kg division gold medal. Alex Alducin, Cleber Fernandes, Hiago George and Mathias Jardin, in this order were Musumeci’s victims. “Your biggest obstacles are the limits you put on yourself! Be limitless!” said Mikey after the triumph. Gianni wanted his second title in Abu Dhabi, After two tough matches, he got to the final to face Brazil’s Tiago Bravo. Grippo did not waste time to build a 8-0 lead that included a back take in the end. “I didn’t come to Abu Dhabi to go half way. These are the moments that make all the hard work worth it,” said Gianni after the final win. Number 09 - 2018
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ADWPJJC
Abu Dhabi Stars
Learn from the men and women that wrote their names in ADWPJJC history
Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes, Ivan Trindade
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Mackenzie Dern
25 years old
“I have always had an aggressive style of Jiu-Jitsu. I am always trying to be the best. I train harder as a black belt than I ever had at other belts, because that’s what you need to be successful at this level.”
2X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2015 (2X)
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Rodolfo Vieira 28 years old
“This was the life I chose for myself. I went through a lot of pain and suffering everyday of my career to achieve the titles I dreamed about as a kid.�
8X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2009, 2011 (3X), 2012 (2X), 2013, 2014
“My initial career in Jiu-Jitsu was very difficult. I was training out of a small apartment with other players and experienced so many losses that I fell into despair and even considered retiring. But I refused to give up, and channeled that into my ambition instead, using it to unleash the champion I knew I had within me.�
6X ADWPJJC Champion 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 (2X)
Faisal Al Kitbe
30 years old
Marcus Almeida Buchecha 28 years old
“I was always able to keep my head clean. I fight for the right reasons instead of allowing outside pressure to get into my head. I have always competed for myself and never to fulfill other people’s expectations.
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6X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2012, 2013, 2014 (2X), 2015 (2X)
Jiu-Jitsu World
“No one can compete at the highest level just with their name. You need to work hard everyday and do your best during training so you are prepared for whatever comes your way in a competition.”
3X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2012, 2013, 2014
Andre Galvão 35 years old
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3X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2010, 2011, 2012
Luanna Alzuguir 33 years old
“I competed a lot! That helped me a lot to be good in Jiu-Jitsu. I fought through pain and I never gave up. That’s my secret.” 86
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Felipe Pena 26 years old
“High level athletes are always hard on themselves. No one likes to loose. I believe this kind of pressure is there for all of us and I try to focus on the good side of it. As a way to keep focused, I have grown accustomed to this feeling.�
3X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2015, 2016, 2017
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Gabrielle Garcia
9X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2010, 2011, 2012 (2X), 2013 (2X), 2014 (2X), 2015
32 years old
“At the beginning I was raw, without a lot of technique and I used my size to win. I trained a lot. I did a lot of repetition. I started to see how magical Jiu-Jitsu really is so I improved a lot.�
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“I don’t like to be stuck in boring matches, so I always look for the fast finish. I am comfortable on the top and also on the bottom. I have worked really hard in my career to be dangerous in every situation of a match.”
3X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2015, 2016, 2017
Beatriz Mesquita 27 years old
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Nathiely de Jesus 22 years old
“The past season was my first season and my first ADWPJJC as a black belt. It was a unexplainable experience to win both my division at the event and the overall ranking. All the effort I put in throughout the season was worth it. It is very important for my career as a professional Jiu-Jitsu athlete.�
2X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2016, 2017
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Leandro Lo 29 years old
5X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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“I don’t have goals set for how many tournaments I want to win. I love competing and I will do it until my body can handle it. I train everyday to be the best I can be. All the rest is a consequence of that.”
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Roberto Satoshi 29 years old
“I have always been keen to sports and thank God I have always been successful at it. I knew it was something that made my father proud when I competed at Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. So, now, whenever one of my matches is over, regardless of the outcome, I look up and say thanks to him. It is something to remember him and make him happy.�
2X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2012, 2014
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2X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2015, 2017
Gianni Grippo 26 years old
“I want to be on the main stage. The thrill of competing is too great to pass up and I never want to be just another one in the stands. I want to be on the mat seeing my goal come to fruition.�
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5X ADWPJJC Black Belt Champion 2010 (2X), 2011, 2012, 2017
Claudio Calasans Jr. 34 years old
“Whenever I hear the expression ‘may the best win’ I remember I have to train to be the best. I have faced many obstacles in my career and I was able to overcome all of them through hard work and dedication.”
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Around the Globe May 2017
13
Zagreb International Pro Croatia
june 2017
Join the Global Movement
17
Nagoya International Pro Japan
The 2017/2018 season took the gentle art to countries near and far in another successful year on the mats
Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: UAEJJF
The 2017/2018 season of UAEJJF events marked another goal achieved in the mission to take Jiu-Jitsu to as many people as possible all over the planet. With events happening nearly every weekend from May to February, the season took the highest level of both technique on the mats and organization to the farthest places on earth. From Brazil to Japan, from Mongolia to the USA, Jiu-Jitsu athletes and fans were offered the well-known settings the UAEJJF has turned into a standard. Let’s relive the thrills of each one the events that made the year such a great year.
july 2017
30
Bento Gonçalves International Pro Brazil
September 2017
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Sergipe Regional Pro Brazil
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May 2017
20-21
Moscow International Pro Russia
May 2017
20
Tokyo International Pro Japan
july 2017
08
Florianopolis International Pro Brazil
june 2017
25
GoiĂĄs International Pro Brazil
August 2017
26
Split International Pro Croatia
August 2017
05-06
Ulaanbaatar International Pro Mongolia
September 2017
17
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BrasĂlia International Pro Brazil
October 2017
07
Croatia National Pro Zagreb
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October 2017 Phoenix International Pro United States
14-15 Around the Globe
October 2017
28
Scotland National Pro Edinburgh
October 2017
29
Greece National Pro Athens
November 2017
11
Jordan National Pro Amman
November 2017
05
Seoul International Pro South Korea
December 2017 Kazakhstan National Pro Almaty
o8-09
December 2017 Spain National Pro Malaga
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October 2017
21
Germany National Pro Maintal
October 2017
28
South Brazil Regional Pro SĂŁo JosĂŠ
November 2017
04
Italy National Pro Torino
November 2017
05
November 2017
25
December 2017 Angola National Pro Luanda
17
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Ukraine National Pro Odessa
Russia National Pro Moscow
December 2017 Cape Town International Pro South Africa
o2-03
January 2018 Mongolia National Pro Ulaanbaatar
o6-07
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January 2018 Asia Continental Pro Ulaanbaatar
27-28
February 2018 South Africa National Pro Johannesburg
03-04
January 2018
29
USA National Pro Kissimmee
February 2018 Mexico National Pro Mexico City
03
February 2018 North America Continental Pro New York
18
February 2018
17
Thailand National Pro Rangsit
February 2018
24
Switzerland National Pro Geneve
February 2018
25 100
Oceania Continental Pro Sydney
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January 2018
28
Australia National Pro Melbourne
January 2018 Brazil National Pro Guarapari
27-28
February 2018 Europe Continental Pro Moscow
03-04
February 2018 Netherlands National Pro Almere
18
February 2018
10
British National Pro London
February 2018
24
Canada National Pro Niagara Falls
February 2018 South America Continental Pro SĂŁo Paulo
24-25
Around the Globe
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PROFILE
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ELDAR RAFIGAEV
Jiu-Jitsu World
“Jiu-Jitsu is not about talent, it’s about hard work.”
ELDAR RAFIGAEV Words: Ane Nunes | Images: UAEJJF, Personal Archives
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ELDAR BY ELDAR…
I started training Jiu-Jitsu for… fun. Lifestyle for me is… Jiu-Jitsu.
ELDER RAFIGAEV BY THE NUMBERS
UAEJJF WORLD RANK 2017-2018 Updated on March 2018
In the WOLRD: #18 In EUROPE: #4 In Moldova: #1
MEDALS Gold: 5 Silver: 0 Bronze: 0
I prefer to follow a diet…
without meat. I prefer fish and other seafoods, fruit and vegetables.
To compete I set my game to… an upper level.
RECORD 15 WINS
12 by submission 1 by points 2 by walkover 1 LOSS
1 by points
An event that I like to compete in is… every
tournament organized by the UAEJJF.
If he was still competing I would love to fight with… Roger Gracie, for me one of the greatest in Jiu-Jitsu.
Among the good teachers I had… Fernando Araujo taught me to be the best or go home.
Eldar Rafigaev, 31 years old, is one of the most prominent names from Eastern Europe. The Moldovan athlete who lives in Prague, Czech Republic, has an impressive presence in the European and worldwide competitions scenario. Currently he has 500 points in the 20172018 UAEJJF World ranking in the adult black belt category, being the number 4 in Europe and number 18 in the world. His position keeps improving in the 110kg division. Eldar has a powerful game. His goal for the near future is clear: “To be a champion of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship you need to train every day and very hard”. Following a daily deep training schedule and considering his recent performance of 15 wins in this season, 12 of them by submission, makes us think that the his performance at the 2018 ADWPJJC promises to be one of the best in recent times. He has a message for his opponents: “I looking forward to fighting anyone”. Lineage Mitsuyo Maeda – Carlos Gracie – Carlson Gracie – Francisco Albuquerque – Fernando Araujo Nascimento – Eldar Rafigaev
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When I’m not rolling… I’m
rolling (laughs). I roll every day.
The title I still want to conquer is… to be a Black Belt ADWPJJC Champion.
Off the mat my great partner is.… my girlfriend. In 10 years I want to be.… a
great Jiu-Jitsu Professor.
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PROFILE
|
CHARLOTTE VON BAUMGARTEN
“The Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle is an adventure where the journey is more important than the destination.”
CHARLOTTE VON BAUMGARTEN Words: Ane Nunes | Images: Ivan Trindade, Personal Archives
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CHARLOTTE VON BAUMGARTEN BY NUMBERS:
UAEJJF WORLD RANK 2017-2018 Updated on March 2018
In the WOLRD: #10 In EUROPE: #1 In Germany: #1
MEDALS Gold: 2 Silver: 0 Bronze: 0
CHARLOTTE BY CHARLOTTE…
I started training Jiu-Jitsu…
11 years ago with my coach and JiuJitsu hero Ulf Ehlert in Berlin.
Lifestyle for me is… Jiu-Jitsu.
RECORD
I prefer to follow a diet that… is healthy and well balanced, with
5 WINS
lots of vegetables and fruits. The less processed the ingredients of a meal, the better!
0 LOSS
try to enter the mats relaxed and confident, knowing that I have the support of an awesome team.
3 by submission 1 by points 1 by walkover
To compete I set my game to…
A talent of mine that few people know… is that I finished vet school and worked as veterinarian for almost 2 years before I decided to become a Jiu-Jitsu professional athlete.
My great partners of the mat…
is my family.
I don’t have a specific opponent I want to fight… but I
look for every opportunity to fight with the best!
A UAEJJF tournament that I like to compete is… the Grand
Slam in Tokyo, because I would love to travel to Japan!
Charlotte von Baumgarten, 30 years old, is the current #1 athlete in Europe in the UAEJJF ranking with 400 points at the Female Brown/Black Adult 62kg division. The history of this German veterinarian is full of adventures. From Muay Thai to Jiu-Jitsu her life has a lot of action, including a journey of 900km walking track through the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. With a daily training program, Charlotte keeps her game on point and has guaranteed great performances in competitions all over the world. She’s facing well-known fighters like Beatriz Mesquita and Claudia do Val, among other tough girls, with clear confidence and high level technique. It’s always intense and interesting to watch Charlotte’s matches.
Among the good teachers I had… my coach Ulf Ehlert taught
me to relax and enjoy Jiu-Jitsu.
When I’m not rolling I like…
traveling, hip hop and nature.
The title I still want to conquer is... the Abu Dhabi World
Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship! Lineage Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda – Carlos Gracie – Helio Gracie – Rolls Gracie – Romero Cavalcanti – Fabio Gurgel – Ulf Ehlert – Charlotte von Baumgarten
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In 10 years I want to be... as happy and healthy as I am now
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Travel and Roll
Six experiences you need to have while in Abu Dhabi Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
Photograph Sheikh Zayed Mosque at Sunset
It doesn’t matter if you are a regular in the UAE capital or if it’s your first time in Abu Dhabi, the exuberant Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a place you need to visit every time you are in the city. Once we stablished that, let us tell you a secret many people don’t know. The best time to visit the Mosque is right before sunset. That’s when the sky turns red and the lights come up. That’s when you will get amazing images, even with your cell phone. If you have a semi-professional or professional camera, even better. Sunset in Abu Dhabi in April is between 6:30PM and 7:00PM, so get there half an hour before that and enjoy. Remember to dress modestly and show respect for the Mosque.
Have a Golden Cappuccino at Emirates Palace We know that staying at the most luxurious hotel in the world is not for every pocket, so we have a more reasonable option for those who still want to experience what it is like to be a guest at the Emirates Palace. Sit in one of the cafes in the huge lobby and order a Golden Cappuccino. The hot beverage is not cheap, but it comes with 14K gold flakes on top of the foam. So seat back, relax and just watch people walk by while enjoying your little bit of the good life.
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Take a close look at the Desert wildlife Formed millions of years ago by a natural salt dome, Sir Bani Yas Island takes its name from the Bani Yas tribe, who chose to settle there. Today, this biodiverse nature reserve is best explored on a 4x4 safari with a local wildlife expert. Two-hour family-friendly safari drives are best taken early in the morning when the animals hunt for breakfast. You will have the chance to spot some of the island’s 10,000 free-roaming animals, including giraffe, Sudan cheetahs, hyenas and a herd of Arabian oryx. There are also richly patterned axis deer stags, gazelles and blackbuck antelope. It’s not just land activities either – the island offers a range of scuba diving and snorkeling trips to delve further into Abu Dhabi’s abundant marine life.
Haggle before you buy at one of the city’s Souks You are in the Middle East. The people there practically invented trade and going to any of Abu Dhabi’s traditional souks and not haggling with the vendor before buying is seen almost as an insult. Choose between the gold souk for rings, necklaces and more; the date souk for the delicious sweet fruit; the carpet souk and many others for whatever you are looking for. Bring cash, know what you want and haggle away. It’s the right way to do it in Abu Dhabi.
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Feed a falcon The sport of falconry is held in very high esteem in Emirati culture, with skills being passed down through the generations. The popular Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the largest falcon hospital in the world, acting almost like a regular hospital, with birds being assessed on arrival. Each year, 11,200 falcons are received for examinations and treatment. The site opens its doors twice a day for the public to tour the hospital, where they can get an insight into the work that is done there. Visitors will even get a chance to feed the falcons, and there’s a museum on site. You can also learn about the sport of falconry in the hospital’s landscaped gardens.
Drive a Ferrari on Yas Island
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Abu Dhabi has a close relationship with the famous Italian car maker. Yas Island offers people of all ages the Ferrari World, where you ride the fastest roller coaster in the world, Formula Rosso, which reaches 240km/h on departure. That’s great, but maybe you want something more exclusive. If that’s the case, the Ferrari Driving Experience is what you are looking for. Ferrari World gives you the opportunity to drive a real live Ferrari around Yas Island. It’s the kind of thing worthy saving some money for.
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LIFESTYLE TIPS
Eat a rainbow Keep your plate colorful and your body healthy
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Words: Ane Nunes | Images: Morguefile
If someone tell you that it’s important to “eat a rainbow” of food, believe it. This may be a good way to think about your diet because numerous food groups can be recognized by their color. Also called as “functional foods”, these foods or dietary components that may provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition. Examples can include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fortified or enhanced foods and and certain dietary supplements. Each color carries its own set of unique disease fighting chemicals called phytochemicals. These phytochemicals give fruits and vegetables their vibrant color and of course some of their healthy properties. An easy way to get more functional foods on your life is to fill half of your plate with some of the colorful fruits and vegetables.
Yellow / Orange / Red A plant compound known as carotenoid gives this group its vibrant color. A well-known carotenoid called Beta-carotene is found in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots. It is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Vitamin A has many roles within the body: it helps support the function of white blood cells, which is important for a healthy immune system, promotes bone growth, and helps to regulate cell growth and division. Orange foods such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, squash, and cantaloupe also have carotenoids in their composition. Another carotenoid called lutein is stored in the eye and has been found to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness. A natural plant pigment called lycopene colors red fruits and vegetables such as tomato, watermelon and grapefruit. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cancer and keep our heart healthy. The main benefit of lycopene is the maintenance of prostate health.
Purple / Blue This group of food contains flavonoids. Berries, cherries, red grapes, red wine, dark chocolate, cocoa and some teas are good sources. Flavonoids are beneficial to our health because they may contribute to the maintenance of proper brain function and blood flow. The plant pigment anthocyanin is what gives blue/purple fruits and vegetables their distinctive color. Anthocyanin also has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage and can help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Green Green vegetables contain a range of phytochemicals including carotenoids, indoles and saponins, all of which have anti-cancer properties. Leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli are also excellent sources of folate. Dark green vegetables are a functional food component powerhouse. Included in the long list of nutrients found in these veggies are potassium, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C.
Brown / White Brown is not usually the most exciting color in the spectrum, but tan colored foods still come packed with many health benefits. Whole wheat breads, cereals, and pastas that are higher in fiber are usually tan in color. The insoluble fiber found in wheat bran, corn bran, fruit and vegetable skins, and whole grains may contribute to the maintenance of a healthy digestive tract and reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Another type of dietary fiber is called beta glucan. This component can also be found in tan foods such as oat bran, oatmeal, oat flour, barley, and rye. Beta glucan-containing foods may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Just because a food is white, doesn’t mean that it isn’t nutritious. In fact, white foods such as low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk, yogurt, and some cheeses are packed with vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. These vitamins and minerals aid in bone health and may help us maintain a healthy body weight. Yogurt also contains probiotics, which are bacteria that confer a health benefit, like promoting digestive health or supporting immune function. White fruits and vegetables also contain a range of health-promoting phytochemicals such as allicin (found in garlic), which is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. Some members of the white group, such as bananas and potatoes, are also a good source of potassium.
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Yellow / Orange/ Red Carrot Lemon Sweet potato Pumpkin Pineapple Mango Corn Orange Squash Peach
Apricot Grapefruit Tomato Radish Strawberry Cherry Red grapes Raspberry Watermelon Red apple
Purple / Blue Beetroot Red cabbage Eggplant Purple asparagus Blueberry Purple grape Plums Figs
Purple Potato Blackberry Acai berry Purple corn Purple Yam (Ube) Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort)
Green Spinach Asparagus Avocado Broccoli Green apple Green grape Lime
Kiwifruit Green bean Lettuce Cabbage Celery Cucumber Green tea
Brown / White Cauliflower Brown pear Mushroom White peach Garlic Banana Potato Dates Onion Ginger Parsnip
Turnip Tofu Oily fish Yogurt Nuts Oatmeal Barley Rye Low-fat/ fatfree milk White cheeses
Source: Australian Nutrition Foundation and International Food Information Council Foundation
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UAE NEWS Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: UAEJJF
UAE News
Abu Dhabi March 24, 2017
Year of Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Challenge President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup - 5th Round The best Jiu-Jitsu clubs in the UAE put their athletes to compete in the second round of the President’s Cup on March 24, 2017. The event was held at the Mubadala Arena, in Abu Dhabi. The athletes showcased all their talents on the mats to take their clubs to the top of the ranking. In the end, the teams competition results were: 1st – Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club 958pts; 2nd – Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy 605pts; 3rd – Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club 361pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Abu Dhabi March 23, 2017
Year of Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Challenge Mother of the Nation Championship - 3rd Round
The best of the Jiu-jitsu talent in the UAE got together for the 3rd round of the Mother of the Nation Championship, on March 23, at the Mubadala Arena, in Abu Dhabi. Female athletes from the teen division all the way to the adult black belt competed for the ultimate glory. In the teams competition, the results were: 1st – Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club 558pts; 2nd - Al Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Academy 386pts; 3rd – Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club 293pts. Scan Here for the complete results.
Abu Dhabi February 23-24, 2018
Challenge Jiu-Jitsu Under 18 The best athletes in the country under 18 years old came together to compete in Abu Dhabi, on February 23-24. The young men and women proved on the mats that the future of the Jiu-Jitsu movement in the UAE is guaranteed. In the teams competition, the final results were: 1st - Ajman Jiu-Jitsu Club 242pts ; 2nd - Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club 239pts; 3rd – UAEJJ Kids Abu Dhabi 185pts. Scan here for the complete results. 118
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