Jiu-Jitsu World #3 - Better than Ever

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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 #3

WHAT’S INSIDE 34

2017 ADWPJJC

Band of heroes

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Greetings

His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi

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Editorial

Grand Finale

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Palace Visit Day of Celebration

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Rules Book

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Get Social

4 fundamental aspects of the rules every Jiu-Jitsu competitor needs to know

When the world got together in Abu Dhabi

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Interview

The leaders’ recipe Jiu-Jitsu World


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Jiu-Jitsu Legends

Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards

Masters of the mat

Night of Jubilee

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2017/2018 Season

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Lifestyle Tips

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UAEJJF Athlete’s Ranking

Jiu-Jitsu all year round

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World Jiu-Jitsu Festival Jiu-Jitsu for all ages

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World Parajiu-Jitsu Festival Heroes of life on the mat Number 03 - 2017

Travel smart, compete better, win more

Understanding the UAEJJF athlete’s ranking

Around the Globe

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National Pro and International Pro events all over the world

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Travel & Roll

Train around the world

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Greetings

The IPIC Arena on April 22, the final day of competitions at the 2017 ADWPJJC

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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, Abu Dhabi on January 13-14 and London on March 18. The Grand Slam World Tour once again reached its climax with the ninth staging of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship, this past 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

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) Number 03 - 2017

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#3

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

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Photo by Ivan Trindade

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The GRAND Finale

Editorial

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was something out of a dream. The 2017 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was everything it promised to be and much more. For 14 days, the Jiu-Jitsu universe converged to Abu Dhabi for a two-week celebration of the powerful gentle art movement all over the world. Over 7,000 athletes from over 100 countries came to the UAE to compete and share their experiences on and off the mats. It was an honor for Jiu-Jitsu World to be present at such a groundbreaking event and to be able to bring you the definitive document of all the action that took place from April 10 to April 24, in Abu Dhabi. From the first kids competing at the World Jiu-Jitsu Festival to the post-tournament visit to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan by the champions of 2017. In our pages, you will find the complete coverage of all the action on and off the mats at the IPIC Arena. Our team started to work really hard to put together our third issue right after the matches wrapped up in Abu Dhabi, in April. The copy you have now in your hands is the result of over a month of writing, editing photos, proof-reading and approving so that we could offer you the best product possible. A magazine worth of all the amazing events that took place during the 2017 ADWPJJC. You’ll find here the Jiu-Jitsu Legends on the mats and also during the press conference that became the talk of the town on April 21. You will also find the inspirational example given by the awesome para-athletes that brought the crowd to their feet on April 14. Kids and teens also put on a wonderful display of technique and desire to win on the first three days of matches. Finally, from April 18 to April 22, the black belts came to the stage to awe the crowd with the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu in the world. You’ll find all of that here and also read what the champions had to say after their accomplishments. With the 2017 ADWPJJC still in our minds, we also look ahead to what promises to be an even more awesome 12 months ahead. The 2017/2018 season is already underway and we give you an idea of what to expect. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour is back with five stops in Japan, USA, Brazil, UAE and UK. The first one is scheduled July 15, in Tokyo. We hope you are ready for it. Other than that, Jiu-Jitsu World #3 brings you the right tools for a thorough Jiu-Jitsu experience on your day to day life. You’ll find valuable tips to enhance your gains and avoid setbacks on and off the mats. Dig in and have a great read once again. Remember you can read our issues online or order it to be delivered to your home. Know more at jiujitsuworldmag.com. See you next month!

IVAN TRINDADE

Editor in Chief

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PALACE VISIT

Day of Celebration 2017 ADWPJJC champions visit His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Al Bahr Palace After all the hard work in 14 days of amazing matches, the champions of the 2017 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship had a very special visit to make on Monday, April 24. In their gis and wearing their hard earned medals, Emirati and international champions of all ages went to the Al Bahr Palace to show their achievements to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, and several sheikhs and senior officials. The Chairman of the UAEJJF, Abdulmunam Al Hashemi led the federation’s staff to accompany the champions to the Palace and also reported the achievements made by the 9th edition of the ADWPJJC. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the champions for their accomplishments on the mats in Abu Dhabi. His Highness also congratulated the organizing committees for their hard work in putting together an world class event that brought so many people and put the UAE on the spotlight of the Jiu-Jitsu universe. The athletes were thrilled with the opportunity of meeting His Highness and praised his support for Jiu-Jitsu in the past decade, which was fundamental to bringing the art to the day to day lives of countless people in the country, making them healthier and happier. The event ended with a series of photographies of the athletes and the UAEJJF staff with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan poses with the champions at the palace 20

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Little ones pleased to visit His Highness

The best blue belt of the season, Zayed Albreiki, presents His Highness with his trophy

UAEJJF Chairman Abdulmunam Al Hashemi introduces two of the champions to His Highness

Photo opportunity with His Highness and the champions

His Highness receives the tenderness of the young champions

Now a black belt, Yahya Alhammadi poses with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

Black belt Faisal Al Kitbe salutes Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

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RULES BOOK WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE

4 fundamental aspects of the rules every Jiu-Jitsu competitor needs to know

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When is a takedown worth two points and when is it not? A takedown is characterized when an athlete forces his/ her opponent backdown, sideways, into a seated position or all fours or belly down on the ground after standing on two feet at some point during the movement. That’s the basics, but there are a few details that will earn you two points. First of all, you need to stabilize the position for three seconds. Second, you need to start the movement before your opponent pulls guard. Third, you have to have a grip on the opponent’s pants before he pulls open guard. Fourth, if the opponent jumps to closed guard, you have three seconds to put him on the ground and hold him there for another three seconds. Fifth, you need to have both feet inbound before you start the movement. Six, if you counter a single leg or double leg entry and lands your opponent on the ground.

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When do I deserve points and when do I deserve an advantage while passing the opponent’s guard? A guard pass is the action of surmounting the legs of the opponent in bottom position and maintain side-control or north-south position over him/her for three seconds. So, in order to get the three points for a guard pass, a guard should exist in the first place. You’ll get and advantage if you cannot stabilize the pass for three seconds and also if you get to half guard. You also get an advantage if the opponent turns on all fours and you keep him/ her like that for at least three seconds. No points or advantages for getting to the inverted half guard.

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What are the techniques not allowed for each belt color? The number of techniques for each belt is decided taking in consideration the level of expertise of athletes and their safety. In the list below, you will find the techniques not permitted according to each age and belt color. The list is cumulative, meaning that each list adds to the one above it. Not allowed to all belt colors: Slam, Spinal lock (without choke), Heel hook, Locks twisting the knees, Straight foot lock and Turning inside, Lateral pressure to the knee (by crossing out in), Toehold with outside turn, Kanibasami (scissor takedown), Finger lock, Takedown forcing on the head or neck. Not allowed to purple belts and under (juvenile, adult and masters): Biceps Slicer, Calf Slicer, Kneebar, Toe Hold. Not allowed to white belts (Juvenile, adults and masters): Jump into the guard, Pressing kidney or ribs on Close Guard, Wrist lock, Single leg takedown with the head of the attacker outside the opponents body. Not allowed to athletes between 13 and 15 years old: Choke with spinal lock, Straight foot lock, Forearm choke using the sleeves (Ezequiel choke), Frontal Guillotine Choke, Omoplata, Pulling head in triangle, Arm triangle. Not allowed to athletes between 4 and 12 years old: Submission stretching the legs apart.

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What can I wear and what can I not wear under the gi to compete? The limitations vary depending on the gender of the athlete. You’ll get disqualified if you show up to compete without underwear. Women also have to wear a stretchy or elastic shirt that hugs the body beneath the gi. It can be short or long sleeved. It is also permitted for athletes to use a one piece swim garment (bathing suit) or gymnastics top. Women cannot use tongue-style underwear, only briefs type. Hijabs are allowed, but they need to be fixed and made with elastic fabric, without any hard material. Black color is mandatory. The use of any foot gear, head gear, hair pins, jewelry, genital protectors or any other protector fashioned of hard material that may cause harm to an opponent or the athlete is forbidden. The use of joint protectors (knee, elbow braces, etc.) that increase body volume to the point of making it harder for an opponent to grip the gi are also forbidden. ground.

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GET SOCIAL

When the world got together in Abu Dhabi For 15 magical days the Jiu-Jitsu community celebrated the art at the 2017 ADWPJJC and flooded social media with posts WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: INSTAGRAM

They posted from the airport while arriving in Abu Dhabi. They posted from their hotels before their fight day. They posted from the warm up area. They posted after fighting. They posted from the podium. They posted from the fan zone. They posted when they met some of their idols. They posted on their days off while doing some tourism. They posted from the awards ceremony at the Emirates Palace. They posted from the Presidential Palace, when they met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They posted from home, after coming back from the championship. For two weeks, the 2017 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was the talk of the town on social media. People from all over the world gathered in Abu Dhabi and rejoiced in a celebration of the powerful movement that is Jiu-Jitsu. We have browsed through the pages to bring you some of the highlights of what the members of our community shared on Instagram.

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INTERVIEW

THE ’ S R E D LEA RECIPE athiely José Junior and N ut the de Jesus talk abo run to hardships of their EJJF the top of the UA annual athlete’s ranking and share their recipe for ats success on the m WORDS: IVAN TR

INDADE | IMAGES

: ANE NUNES

Jiu-Jitsu ially if you are a number 1. Spec be to ous sy er ea m t nu no It’s hard, with ney to the top is ur jo e iely th th lt, Na be d k blac Junior an ks. Even so, José ac tb out se ts d ar an s he r le hurd lts fought thei The two black be it. on d n io di s sit su po Je de h the first 7 season to reac 01 /2 16 d 20 an e or th ni g Ju durin id interview, ing. In this cand the the UAEJJF rank they lived along e tough moments th al nce. ve rie re pe ly ex ie e th Na ned from th at they have lear wh their so m al d fro d an y ne wa be lear luable lessons to va of t lo a e ar e Ther e. tion to excellenc effort and dedica

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JIU-JITSU WORLD: What was the importance for you of reaching the end of the season as the leader of the UAEJJF adult black belt ranking?

JosĂŠ Junior: It was a dream come true for me. Since the UAEJJF started the ranking I was dreaming with that moment. Professionally, it was a huge accomplishment, specially for the high level athletes that were also in the competition for the number 1 spot in the ranking. Also, it was a very hard journey to get to the title. Nathiely de Jesus: It 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. How would you describe the feeling of receiving the trophy from the hands of His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Emirates Palace before the Jiu-Jitsu community?

Junior: It was a huge honor. I have a lot of gratitude for this nation that embraced Jiu-Jitsu as a national sport. The royal family was the one responsible for all that is happening right now and the presence of HH Sheikh Diab was the extra touch to make the evening extra special. The 2017 ADWPJJC was the biggest and the most well structured Jiu-Jitsu event in history and the award ceremony was the perfect grand finale. Nathiely: It was amazing! I was so nervous and anxious at the same time to receive the trophy from the hands of HH Sheikh Diab. It will be something I will remember for the rest of my life, also for having the presence of so many great athletes that I have always admired. What was the most difficult moment you had to go through during the 2016/2017 season on your way to the top of the ranking? Junior: I believe it was all the traveling because we spend a lot of time flying and that’s time we could be training. Also, trips mess with our schedule and how our bodies work. On the mats, the most difficult moment was to fight

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Erberth Santos at the 110kg semifinal at the 2017 ADWPJJC. I knew the top position of the ranking was at stake on that match and how difficult it was to defeat such a high skilled athlete as Erberth.

after the 2017 ADWPJJC. It was a once in a lifetime moment. Also, to be nominated the Godmother of the para-jitsu athletes during the 2017 ADWPJJC. I was very honored and happy.

Nathiely: I guess it was the trip for the Grand Slam Tokyo. When I got to the airport, I found out my ticket had not been issued. I had to go back home not knowing if I was going to be able to travel. I ended up buying a new ticket for the next day. Also, at the Grand Slam Rio, I competed while being injured and really didn’t know if I was going to be able to get to the end of tournament. Thank God, it all worked out fine.

Have you already thought about how you’re going to defend your title of ranking leader in the 2017/2018 season?

Do you have a special moment from the past season that you will stay in your memory?

Junior: For sure there are a lot of memories, but what really sticks with you are the friendships you make along the way. Myself, Xande Ribeiro and Gabriel Arges spent a lot of time together during the season. Our run for the top of the ranking was very competitive and I believe it’s going to be even more exciting in the ones to come. God willing I will be there representing my sport and doing what I love. Nathiely: For sure the most important moment for me was to meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the palace

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Junior: I am studying which events I will be present at, but there’s no two ways about it. You have to fight everything.

Nathiely: I’m still thinking about it. I really want to repeat the result I had this past season, but I also have other plans to pursue until then. What is the importance for you of having a professional circuit that awards monetarily the athletes’ efforts?

Junior: I see as a big incentive so that we can become professional Jiu-Jitsu athletes and we can focus on training and competing only. It’s hard to win a big event and walk away with no financial benefit out of all your effort. Nathiely: It’s simply amazing. We live off Jiu-Jitsu, you know. It’s not only the money, but also the visibility and the way the events are organized. I think the tendency is for the whole thing to grow in the future.

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2017 ADWPJJC

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The best athletes in the world once again gathered at the IPIC Arena to wonder the Jiu-Jitsu universe with epic performances on the mats WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: ANE NUNES, IVAN TRINDADE

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The ground shook for five days on April, in Abu Dhabi. There was no earthquake. The reason for the shaking was the unbelievable level of action at the IPIC Arena from April 18 to April 22. That’s when some of the most decorated athletes in the world gathered to compete for over US$ 800,000 in prizes, as well as shinning medals and belts and bragging rights for a whole year. The matches that took place in Abu Dhabi will forever be on the minds of those who were lucky enough to witness them, both live and on tv and online all over the world. His Highness Sheikh Nayhan bin Zayed al Nahyan was gracious to attend both the opening ceremony, on April 18, and also the final day of

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competitions, on April 22. His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, the UAEJJF Chairman, opened the five-day event thanking His Highness for the continued support from the Emirati Royal family to Jiu-Jitsu: “We are honored by your presence in the biggest sport event organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the ninth year in a row. By the grace of God and the unlimited support offered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the UAE has become a cultural hub and Abu Dhabi established itself as an international capital for Jiu-Jitsu.” On the pages to follow, you’ll relive the thrills, feast your eyes on the sights and read what our heroes said after their triumphs on the mats.

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Male Black Belt Pena had to fight the Brazil qualifiers to make it to the main bracket

94 kg The long path to gold

The 2017 ADWPJJC allowed only two competitors per country on the main brackets of the brown belt and black belt divisions. The new rule made Thursday, April 20, to be devoted to the country qualifiers. Brazil was the country with the most athletes registered, so every weight class had a Brazilian qualifier. Felipe Pena had to compete for his spot in the country qualifier to secure a spot in the main bracket. He did that with brilliance, wining all three matches, against Maciel Trindade (choke from the back), Vicente Cavalieiri (hand triangle) and Helton Junior (2-0). On Friday, April 21, Pena was back to the mats to pave his way to another division final in his history at the ADWPJJC. In two matches, he beat Abdura Bilarov 8-0 and then met the great Xande Ribeiro in the semifinal. One advantage was the lead that took Pena to the final. The Brazilian final commitment was Saturday, April 22, against the always dangerous Adam Wardzinski, from Poland. Pena left no space for Adam to put his game to work. He worked the guard pass, got to the back and choked Wardzinski to win the title and the division belt. Pena could not be happier about the result: “We did it! Thank you to all of those who helped me. The only limits you have are those you set yourself.”

Felipe takes Adam’s back before going for the finish Xande had a great campaign in Abu Dhabi and finished the division in third place

One sweep was Felipe’s edge over the great Xande Ribeiro in the semifinals

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The champion took no shortcut to win his belt

Adam fought once before the final, beating Diego Herzog 14-7 in the quarterfinals

Abdura Bilarov put a lot of resistance against Pena in the quarterfinals, but lost 8-0

Xande worked hard on his top game against Pena

Pena goes for the kill against Adam Wardzinski at the division final

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Chris Bowe had a campaign for the ages in Abu Dhabi

Erberth was the Brazil qualifier winner after a three-match campaign that ended with a 2-0 win over Gustavo Dias

Junior’s moment of joy after all the hard work on the mats during the season

Junior put a lot of pressure on Erberth to make it to the final

Jose Junior worked his sweep game to score the gold medal winning two points

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Junior had a tough Manuel Pontes Jose Junior his sweep game to in his first match of the worked campaign score the gold medal winning two points

110 kg Erberth thought he had the seven points for the pass and mount, but the refs thought otherwise

Portugal and Ireland battled for a spot in the final. Bowe beat Manuel Pontes 1-0 on advantages

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José Junior had a lot at stake when he entered to fight his first match in the weight class, on April 20. A win would earn him a gold medal, the division belt, the number one spot in adult male black belt ranking and the US$ 25,000 grand prize for leading the ranking at the end of the season. Three matches were in Junior’s way to his goals. First, he beat Portugal’s Manuel Pontes in the first round. The semifinal would be against Erberth Santos, in what came to be the toughest match on Junior’s path. After a blitz by Erberth in the beginning of the match, Junior saw himself seven points behind after the main referee scored Erberth a guard pass and a mount. Junior’s luck started to change when the side referees overruled the main ref and the match went back to 0-0, with Erberth getting two advantages instead. Near the end of the match, Junior finally made his move and scored two points with a sweep that left Erberth no time left to react. The spot in the final was secured. The opponent in the gold medal match would be Ireland’s Chris Bowe. Another sweep was enough for Junior to build a 2-0 lead and take the title home. “I knew the match with Erberth was going to be very tough. I am thankful that everything went the right way. It’s a dream come true,” said Junior after the final.

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Bahiense beat Roberto Satoshi 4-2 in the Brazil qualifier final to make it to the main bracket

Satava made it to the main bracket after beating AJ Agazarm twice in the USA qualifier

Gabriel Arges was a regular in the 2016/2017 season. He competed and won so much that he was the only one that could take the number one spot in the ranking from Jose Junior. In Abu Dhabi, Arges had to climb to the top of the most stacked division of all. In three matches, he first caught Akira Hosokawa with a choke from the back and then beat Isaque Bahiense 2-0 in the semifinal to make it to the gold medal match. Arges’ opponent would be his teammate Edwin Najmi. The American caught Hamzeh Al Rashid with a triangle, then finished Oliver Lovell and finally met countryman Jon Satava to win 2-0. The final put the two friends to battle for the gold medal and they really went for it. Arges was able to make his bottom game work and sweep to score the 2-0 lead that won him the gold medal. “I came here with a mission and was able to accomplish it. Twelve gold medals, a belt and a lot more experience in my plate. Great season,” said Arges after all was said and done.

Bittersweet triumph

Gabriel was inches away from taking Isaque Bahiense’s back in the semifinal

Najmi was a very tough opponent for Arges in the battle for the belt

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Arges waited for the right moment to sweep Najmi in the final

Najmi and Satava battled it out in the other semifinal The two friends gave all they had in search of the gold medal

Arges worked his way to Hosokawa’s back before choking the opponent

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Master of time

Claudio Calasans Jr has a long story at the ADWPJJC. As an example, he won the open class division at the second edition, in 2010. Seven years later, he made yet another powerful showing of how good his Jiu-Jitsu is. With no easy path, Calasans had to fight seven times before he could rest with the gold medal on his neck. First he beat Roberto Dib 7-2, then Lucas Barbosa by DQ and finally caught Charles Negromonte with a leg lock to make it to the main bracket. The next day, he outscored Kit Dale 4-2, finished Michael Tremblay and again outscored Marcos Costa 4-2 in the semifinal. Calasans secured the title with a takedown and a guard pass on the always tough Faisal Al Kitbe to score the 6-0 lead. “Five years later, I won in Abu Dhabi again. It’s not the water that breaks the rock but the never ending persistence. After three days of hard competition, I got to the moment of glory,” said Calasans after the title.

Under the watch of his countrymen, Faisal put on a great show at the ADWPJJC

Calasans worked hard to pass Faisal’s guard in the final

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Judo was one of Calasans’ biggest weapons in Abu Dhabi

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Calasans had to overcome the tough Kit Dale on his way to the title

Faisal put all his effort into the final against Calasans

Faisal had a stellar performance in the 8-0 win over Ross Keeping in the semifinal

Calasans was tireless in the semifinal against fellow Brazilian Marcos Costa

The celebration was equivalent to the effort made by Calasans during the weekend

Al Kitbe made the crowd electric with his performance on the mats

The win over Charles in the Brazil qualifier was the starting point in Calasans’ campaign

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Gianni went for the kill in the final against Bravo

War face in the final moments of the gold medal match

One sweep was the difference in favor of Grippo against Doederlein

Tiago Bravo had an awesome campaign to make to the final, beating Talison Costa 4-2 in the semifinal

Talison Costa made to the main bracket after a tough campaign in the Brazil qualifier that ended with a 20-5 win over Isaque Paiva

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Gianni started his run against Japan’s Daisuke Shiraki

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Returning champion Gianni Grippo travelled to Abu Dhabi with one thing in mind: to repeat his successful campaign of 2015, when he won the 65kg division. He knew the task would not be an easy one to accomplish. The fact that the division was super stacked with talent was just another thing making the final win even more tasteful. Gianni fought three times, first beating Japan’s Daisuke Shiraki 2-0 with a sweep. The semifinal put Gianni against countryman Isaac Doederlein. After a tough match, a 2-1 lead on advantages following a 2-2 tie on points was enough for Grippo to advance to the final. The opponent would be Brazilian expat in the UAE, Tiago Bravo. Grippo did not waste time to build a 8-0 lead that included a back take in the end. The second title in three years was a reality. “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.

69 kg Grippo receives the praises of the crowd after the win

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Mikey on the back of Cleber Fernandes on his way to another win

Hiago George also put on a great display of high level Jiu-Jitsu in Abu Dhabi

Michael Musumeci fought a tough battle against Hiago George

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In his last match of the 2017 ADWPJJC, Musumeci beat France’s Mathias Jardin

62kg Alex Alducin also could not defend his back against Musumeci

Alex Alducin and Mathias Jardin fighting their heart out on the mats of the IPIC Arena

Michael Musumeci competed in the first Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, on September 2016, in Los Angeles, when he beat Paulo Miyao for the title. The next time he was seen in the season was the Friday, April 21, in Abu Dhabi. Musumeci’s weight class had a special format, with athletes competing against every other athlete in the division. Mikey left no survivors on his way to the 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! So thankful to be able to travel the world and for all the opportunities in my life! I believe everything in life happens for a reason. It’s all a part of God’s plans,” said Musumeci while celebrating his triumph.

The surprise element

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Wellington de Lima beat Jorge Nakamura 5-0 to win the 56kg division Brazil qualifier

56 kg Rodnei Junior has a title no one can take away from him. He is the first ever male adult black belt 56kg division champion at the ADWPJJC. There was no such weight class before the 2017 edition. With that in mind, Rodnei came, fought two times and took the belt and the gold medal home. The first win was against fellow countryman Wellington de Lima. Then, Rodnei had to face the always tough Todokoro Masaaki, caught with a choke from the back. After all was said and done, the new weight class had its first champion and he could not be happier. “For years I have been training to be able to rise to the highest level in the most important competitions in the world. Thank God I was able to achieve one of my goals in Abu Dhabi. I am extremely happy with that and I would love to say thank to all of those who helped me get to where I am,� said an emotional Rodnei after the final match.

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The pioneer

Rodnei took his time against Masaaki before making the move to take the back

Masaaki was a tough opponent in the final match

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Rodnei goes for Masaaki’s neck on his way to the gold medal

The expression of happiness after a job well done by Rodnei

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Female Black/Brown Belt

Talita Nogueira beat Vanessa Oliveira 4-2 to win the Brazil Qualifier

Talita Nogueira had an amazing run in the division to make it to the final

Nathi worked her pressure game to outscore Talita in the final

Mission accomplished for the best black belt of the season

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Nathi working the back of Yacinta in one of the matches on her way to the gold medal

Nathi gave her opponents no space to breathe during their matches

Nathi started the final match full throttle against Talita

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Nathiely de Jesus had a great 2016/2017 season. Her results led her to the top of the female adult black belt ranking. The 2017 ADWPJJC would be the last chapter of a glorious campaign. She did not let her fans down. In a all against all bracket, Nathiely beat all of her opponents. The first one was Tara White, beat 3-0 on advantages. Then, Nathiely finished Yacinta Nguyen and caught Alison Tremblay with a choke from the back. The final match, on Saturday, April 22, put Nathiely against fellow countrywoman Talita Nogueira. Despite having an armbar in place right at the beginning of the match, Nathiely had to settle for a 4-2 win in the end against a very tough Talita. “No words to describe the amount of happiness right now. It’s another dream come true to be a black belt ADWPJJC champion. Thanks to God and all my family, friends and my team,� said a smiling Nathiely after the triumph.

Final touch

90 kg

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The emotion after a hard fought between Carol and Amanda

70 kg The emotion on Ana Carolina Vieira’s face the minute after the division final ended was of pure happiness. The tears that rolled down her cheeks expressed all the effort she had to put in to become an ADWPJJC black belt champion. In three matches, she first beat Fiorella Coto 7-0. The semifinal was against fellow countrywoman Priscilla Cerqueira, beat 3-0. The final match put Carol against the USA’s Amanda Benavidez. It was a very hard fought match but Carol was able to build a 4-1 lead on advantages. “All honor and glory to God. This time, it all worked out well and I managed to become an ADWPJJC black belt champion. I didn’t fight the way I liked, but that does not matter now. Thank you to all of those who helped me,” said Carol after the triumph.

Joyful tears

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Carol on his way to pass Priscilla’s guard

Priscilla Cerqueira made it to the main bracket with a 6-0 win over Natalia de Souza in the Brazil qualifiers

Amanda did all she could to take the gold medal back to America

Amanda fought hard to make it to final, beating Clara Dufau and Claire-France Thevenon

Ana Carol works her way to Benavidez’ back in the final

Carol debuted in the division with a 7-0 win over Fiorella Coto

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Well known rivals, Bia and Luiza once again fought a true war in Abu Dhabi

The smile of the champion

Bia Basilio has been a very tough opponent to Mesquita and that was the case in Abu Dhabi

Tammi beat Erin Herle twice to make it through the USA qualifier

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Tammi fought very hard in the final but could not prevent the defeat

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Bianca had a very good performance in the Brazil qualifier up until the final

Bia goes for the kill against Tammi Musumeci in the final

Straight shooter

Beatriz Mesquita is on a roll. In Abu Dhabi, her opponents felt on their skin how accurate Bia’s technique is right now. She had to fight four times in the Brazil qualifier before making it to the main bracket. She caught Luciana Kusaka with an armbar, then beat Lauriane Mendes and Francielli Nascimento. In the last match, she faced the always tough Bia Basilio and won via disqualification. In the main bracket, Bia beat Luiza Monteiro 6-2 to meet Tammi Musumeci in the final. With the gold medal at stake, Bia first defended a omoplata attack and then got to Tammi’s back to choke for the finish. “Every day of the event I had a final. Thank God I was able to win it all. The secret is to believe that I am capable and to maintain focus on the goal. No obstacle took away my concentration. Thanks to all of those who believe in my work,” said Bia after the final victory.

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Vanessa made to the final after a very tough 2-0 win over Belgium’s Amal Anjahid

Vanessa English was very game during the final match

Thamires Aquino outscored Amal 2-1 for the bronze medal

One advantage was the edge in favor of Talita over Thamires Aquino in the other semifinal

The toe hold that settled the title for Talita

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55 kg

The champion gets the praise of the crowd

Talita Alencar earned on the mats the right to compete in the main bracket. In two matches the Brazilian earned the title of ADWPJJC black belt champion. She first beat Thamires Aquino 1-0 on advantages in a very tough semifinal match. The final, on Saturday, April 22, was another hell raiser. Against the UK’s Vanessa English, Talita went right to business and was able to find a toe hold that left her opponent no other option than to tap. “2017ADWPJJC champion. No words to describe how important this title is for my career as a black belt. Thank you to all my friends and training partners who helped me on this journey,” said Talita after the triumph.

Sparks on the mat

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49 kg

The first

Mayssa Bastos is another first in the history of the ADWPJJC. The division she won in 2017 did not exist before this edition. In four matches, Mayssa beat all her four opponents on her way to the title. Clarissa Lacerda, Rikako Yuasa, Arantzazu Romero and Liwia Gluchowska were Mayssa’s victims. Until 2018, only Mayssa will be able to call herself a 49kg black belt ADWPJJC champion.

The champion gave no space to her opponents in all four matches she had in Abu Dhabi

The lightest division was also one of the most thrilling

Mayssa Bastos putting her game to work against Clarissa Lacerda

Rikako Yuasa showed he usual expertise on the mats in Abu Dhabi

Every inch was fought very hard during the division’s matches

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After all was said and done, the teams and nations celebrated the hard fought results from their athletes on the mats of the 2017 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

NATIONS

Nations Results

1st – Brazil – 78696pts (68 Gold, 53 Silver, 63 Bronze) 2nd – United Arab Emirates – 14120pts (15 Gold, 16 Silver, 1 Bronze) 3rd – United States – 11784pts (10 Gold, 11 Silver, 8 Bronze)

Nations

Scan here for the complete results

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s presence at the IPIC Arena brought even more importance to the event After the win, Yahya received the warm embrace of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan

Once again, Yahya Al Hammadi rose to the top of the 110kg division in the master 1 brown belt with a win over Fabio Nascimento.

Yahya’s evening ended with a surprise graduation to the black belt ranking from the hands of Professors Roberto Gordo and Marcio Pé de Pano

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JIU-JITSU LEGENDS

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MASTERS OF THE MAT Pé de Pano, Napão, Bitetti, Traven, Shaolin, Florian, Soca, Yoshida, Soneca, Megaton awe the crowd in five powerful displays of technique and love for the gentle art in Abu Dhabi WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: ANE NUNES, IVAN TRINDADE

They became the talk of the town. Everywhere you looked on the streets of Abu Dhabi in April, you would see a banner with one of their images. Marcio Pé de Pano, Gabriel Napão, Amaury Bitetti, Roberto Traven, Vitor Shaolin, Kenny Florian, Alexandre Soca, Baret Yoshida, Helio Soneca and Wellington Megaton were true ambassadors of the art and got celebrity treatment. The weigh in alone was a super-production in itself, on April 21, It took place at the central square of the Yas Mall, one of the most prestigious spots in the city. Local and international press followed the Legends wherever they went and the public loved their antics. And then came the time for the five matches on Saturday, April 22, just before the black belt finals. The crowd witnessed five all out wars for the prestigious belts in each weight class.

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In 2016, a sweep was enough for Marcio Pé de Pano to conquer the heavyweight belt in a thrilling match against Rodrigo Comprido. One year later, the opponent was UFC veteran Gabriel Napão. Once again, Pé de Pano played on the bottom and took his time to attack. Right at the end of the match, after defending multiple tries by Napão to pass his guard, Pé made his move and was able to get up and hold Napão on the ground in the turtle position for three seconds as the clock went out. The referee took some time to score the winning two points to Pé’s agony, but eventually raised the two fingers. Pé’s face lit up with a big smile as he was sure the belt was his for another 12 months.

HEAVYWEIGHT

Pé de Pano uses same weapon to keep belt

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MIDDLEWEIGHT

Bitetti edges out Traven in chess match The first of the new belts at stake was decided by small details. Old rivals, Amaury Bitteti and Roberto Traven new each other’s games very well and that translated to a very strategical match. Bitteti managed to stay on top most of the time and score two advantages to build a narrow lead over his rival, who scored only one. Bitetti could not have been happier for being back into the scene and winning again. “Thank God for another victory. Thanks Traven for another tough match! Thanks Masters Carlson Gracie and Osvaldo Alves and my father, my biggest inspiration.”

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Vitor Shaolin had no plans of giving up his belt after taking hold of it in 2016. As with Daniel Moraes last year, the Brazilian went straight to business as soon as the referee started the match. Shaolin started playing on the bottom and quickly was able to sweep Kenny Florian to start working the guard pass. As Kenny felt threatened by the possibility of having his guard passed, he turned into turtle position to defend himself. Shaolin took the opportunity to grab a hold of Florian’s collar and go for the clock choke. The technique was so on point that the American had no time to tap and ended up taking a nap on the match. With the belt secured for another 12 months, Shaolin said: “Very happy with my performance. I would like to say big thanks to the UAEJJF, to Kenny Florian, my guys at Shaolin BJJ and of course my wife and kids.”

WELTERWEIGHT

Lethal Shaolin puts Florian to sleep

LIGHTWEIGHT

One-strike Soca to keep the belt

In 2016, Alexandre Soca came from behind to win the lightweight belt against the great Robson Moura. One year later, Soca was back in Abi Dhabi to defend his title and the opponent was the equally great American black belt Baret Yoshida. The match was as tough as the battle against Robinho, but once again Soca was able to come out on top. Yoshida went for a guillotine early on, but Soca defended his neck bravely to eventually come on top and work his guard pass. Yoshida kept his act together and defended the pass with great efficiency. In the end, the 2-0 lead for the sweep after escaping the guillotine was enough for Soca to keep his belt and start to get ready for another challenge next year.

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FEATHERWEIGHT

Battle between friends

They had fought in 1996 and never again. For a long time, people wondered what a rematch would look like, including both athletes. Helio “Soneca” Moreira and Wellington “Megaton” Dias are more than opponents, they are friends. In Abu Dhabi, they were together a lot during the press conferences, photo shoots and the weigh in ceremony. When the time came, the match was very strategic, but also very thrilling. Megaton stayed on top and worked his guard pass while Soneca waited for the right time to strike. He did that within the last two minutes of the match, when a precise sweep landed Megaton on his back. After that, Mega worked hard to sweep back while defending Soneca’s attacks to his guard. Time ran out and Mega was unable to get his revenge from the 1996 defeat. We hope we don’t have to wait another 20 years for a new match between the two friends.

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WORLD JIU-JITSU FESTIVAL

JIU-JITSU FOR ALL AGES Abu Dhabi hosts a week-long celebration of the sport that is changing the lives of people young and old WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: UAEJJF

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On April 10, over 2200 juvenile and teen male and female athletes from over 50 countries were the first to enter the IPIC Arena, in Abu Dhabi, for the start of the World Jiu-Jitsu Festival, the first part of the ninth edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Until April 12, kids from 3 to 17 years old displayed high level technique and a lot of desire to win every medal at stake. H.E Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the High Committee for Abu Dhabi, was present and commented on the importance of the moment: “The ninth edition of the championship has raised the bar with this kind of competition and this is due to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation successfully

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developing the sport across all levels, both locally and international, for children, adults and those with special needs. This success is attributed to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. I am really excited and proud to see players coming to Abu Dhabi from across the globe to participate in the event and this is indicated by how popular the sport is becoming both in the UAE and around the world. I would like to wish every participant luck in the Championship. We are very proud of our UAE players in all kinds of sports and especially Jiu-Jitsu.�

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On April 14, adults and masters came to compete. Over 350 white belt athletes gave their best on the mats to take home the much desired medals. On April 15, another 450 athletes came to play in the blue, purple, brown and black belts in the master division. Again, there was action of the highest levels of skills seen on the mats of the IPIC Arena.

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On April 16-17, young players were back on the mats for the World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Over 1200 athletes ranging from 10 to 17 years old from the UAE and other 23 countries took part in two days of thrilling matches. Day 1 was was devoted to the female divisions while day 2 saw the best young male athletes on the mats.

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WORLD JIU-JITSU FESTIVAL - RESULTS BY NATIONS

BOYS

GIRLS

1st – United Arab Emirates – 2095pts (316 Gold, 332 Silver, 483 Bronze)

1st – United Arab Emirates – 1479pts (228 Gold, 230 Silver, 335 Bronze)

2nd – Russia – 122pts (28 Gold, 14 Silver, 10 Bronze)

2nd – Egypt – 9pts (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)

3rd – Jordan – 105pts (20 Gold, 14 Silver, 17 Bronze)

3rd – United Kingdom – 8pts (2 Gold, 1 Silver)

ADULTS & MASTERS

WORLD YOUTH JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS BY NATIONS

1st – United Arab Emirates – 271pts (46 Gold, 46 Silver, 41 Bronze) 2nd – Brazil – 41pts (8 GoBld, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze) 3rd – Kazakhstan – 21pts (5 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)

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1st – United Arab Emirates – 162080pts (97 Gold, 114 Silver, 182 Bronze) 2nd – Russia – 14000pts (14 GoBld, 5 Silver, 17 Bronze) 3rd – Kazakhstan – 9360pts (8 Gold, 6 Silver, 9 Bronze)

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WORLD PARAJIU-JITSU FESTIVAL

UAEJJF Chairman Abdulmunam Al Hashemi salutes the para-athletes

They were all champions during the World Para-Jitsu Festival

No easy match match on the mats of the IPIC Arena

Para-athletes are smart to adapt techniques to their special circumstances

Every match was fought very hard

The UAEJJF paired athletes with similar disabilities in their own categories

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Elcirley (white gi) is on a mission to display the benefits of the gentle art

Kenzo Karakawa was a crowd favorite in Abu Dhabi

Local talent made huge waves on the mats

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The first Para-Jitsu international championship shines a light on how the gentle art works to bring a better life to all people Women also put on a great show during the Para-Jitsu Festival

Para-athletes receive the praise of the crowd before the action at the IPIC Arena

The athletes got the praise of the crowd after each match

Every position was fought to the last inch

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HEROES OF LIFE ON THE MAT WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: UAEJJF

When they entered the arena on April 14 and lined up in the middle of the mat area, everyone in the venue knew that something special was about to happen. Right there, they got the first of many standing ovations of the day. More than 50 athletes from 15 countries around the globe stepped up to the challenge and took part in the first ever World Para-Jitsu championship. Brazilian black belt Mauricio Carvalho, who cannot use his left arm, praised the event: “When I saw the arena for the first time I thought it was beautiful, a really great job. This is a fantastic opportunity for Jiu-Jitsu and para-athletes. As para-athletes we expect to show everybody that even with a disability you can still perform Jiu-Jitsu and you can still use the sport to better yourself - we will show that anybody can take part in Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to be respectful, to overcome your difficulties and be a better version of yourself. You learn how to get out of difficult situations, to breathe and think calmly. That’s important in life too.” It was a full day of matches and the crowd was pleased to witness the devotion to JiuJitsu and the drive to win shown by each one of the athletes. Brown belt Erciley Silva was a pioneer, as he was present at the 2016 ADWPJJC competing against athletes without special needs. He also talked about the importance of having a event like the Para-Jitsu Festival: “We’re on a mission. We are here to prove that anyone can do Jiu-Jitsu and how beneficial the art can be for people that need to overcome life’s difficulties.” From Japan, yellow belt Kenzo Karakawa, who was diagnosed with Autism as a young child, was one of the stars of the show. Alongside his devoted father Will Karakawa, they travel all over the world showing how important Jiu-Jitsu is for children with Kenzo’s challenges. Will also talked about the feelings of being part of such an important event: “We heard a lot of people saying we could not do it. Even so, we persisted. Today we have people approaching us and saying that our story made them face their challenges. That’s one reason we continue doing what we do.” At the end, they were all champions regardless of their results on the mats. Once again, the entire venue stood up and gave them a very deserved ovation. It was just the beginning and the para-athletes will be back to continue inspiring people on and off the mats.

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ABU DHABI WORLD JIU-JITSU AWARDS

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Night of Jubilee Athletes gathered at the Emirates Palace to receive trophies as much earned rewards for a year of effort and devotion on the mats For one evening, the gis stayed home and our heroes put on fashionable suits and ties or beautiful night gowns. The Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards was the perfect occasion for athletes to gather and received much earned rewards for a year-long effort on the mats in the 2016/2017 season. On Sunday, April 23, the leaders of the UAEJJF ranking in each division received their trophies from the hands of His Highness Sheikh Diab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a flawless ceremony at the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel that also included a delicious dinner with traditional Emirati dishes. The highlights of the evening were the prizes for the black belt division, when José Junior and Nathiely de Jesus walked on to the stage to receive their trophies. Junior thanked his friends and also all of those who worked hard to develop Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE and around the world. “I want to specially thank His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAEJJF.” Nathiely, who competed in every stage of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour in the 2016/2017 season, also thanked her family, friends and teammates: “I wouldn’t be here without them. This trophy is a proof that all the effort throughout the year was more than worth.” Black belt Faisal Al Kitbe was awarded with the commend of best UAE male black belt and best Emirati athlete. The night also included awards for the best UAE Jiu-Jitsu club for the Al Jazira Club and also the best Jiu-Jitsu association won by Checkmat International. Here are some of the best images of the evening and a list of the main awards handed out on that amazing evening of celebration. Adult Male - Black Belt

José Junior (UAEJJ Team – Training Hall) - 2150pts

Master 1 - Black Belt

Paulo Pinto (Commando Group BJJ) - 1060pts

Master 2 - Black Belt

Nilson Braga (UAE Armed Forces Team) - 800pts

Adult Male – Black Belt (No-Gi) Adult Female - Black Belt

Nathiely Karoline Melo (Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ) - 1540pts

Adut Male – Brown Belt

Gustavo Batista (NS Brotherhood) - 1480pts

Master 1 – Brown Belt

Yahia Al Hamadi (UAEJJ Team) - 600pts Checkmat International - 35897pts

Best International Academy Best Asian Federation

Turkmenistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation

Adult Male – Black Belt (UAE) Best Jiu-Jitsu Club (UAE) Best Jiu-Jitsu School (UAE)

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Igor Silva (Commando Group BJJ) - 580pts

Faisal Al Kitbe (UAEJJ Team)

Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club - 12209pts Aaf 12 - Al Shiyam School 81


Amaury Bitetti, Gabriel NapĂŁo, Roberto Traven, Vitor Shaolin

Ana Carolina Vieira, Bia Mesquita, Nathiely de Jesus

Xande Ribeiro

Alexandre Soca

Kenny Florian

Scan here for the complete list of awards https://www.uaejjf.org/rank/list

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Gabriel Arges

Helio Soneca

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2017/2018 SEASON INTERNATIONAL PRO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jiu-Jitsu all year round

Every point matter! The International Pro series brings Jiu-Jitsu at the highest level to some of the most important cities in the world between May 1st, 2017 to April 30th, 2018.

The journey to the 2018 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship has begun WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: ANE NUNES, UAEJJF

The 2017 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship was the grand finale the 2016/2017 season deserved. Thousands of athletes of all ages and backgrounds gathered in the United Arab Emirates for an unprecedented 14 days of matches at the world famous IPIC Arena, in Abu Dhabi. Over US$ 800,000 in prizes were awarded for champions and medalists of categories of every belt, age group and nationality. The 2017 ADWPJJC will live forever in our memories. After a brief rest period, the 2017/2018 UAEJJF season is already underway with events coming up in all five continents. Every point counts in the journey to the 2018 World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, once again scheduled to take place in the capital city of the UAE. The 2017/2018 season will be bigger and better than any other previous seasons. Here are the highlights of all the action planned for the next 12 months.

CONTINENTAL PRO CHAMPIONSHIPS The UAEJJF is introducing another series of events in the 2017/2018 season. The Continental Pro Championships will be the primary key for qualification for the 2018 ADWPJJC. Continental champions will qualify directly to compete in Abu Dhabi in April 2018. Each year, the Continental Pro will travel to a different country within its continent. There will be six events each year. The dates for this year’s events are yet to be released. Confirmed Events Europe Pro Asia Pro

North America Pro South America Pro Africa Pro Oceania Pro

Scan here for more info, specific dates on each event and how to register http://www.uaejjf.com/schedule

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The season kicked off on May 13, in Zagreb, Croatia, with hundreds of athletes fighting for valuable points in the UAEJJF ranking. Every event is open to athletes of all nationalities. The following events are already confirmed and many more will be added. Confirmed Events Ras Al Khaimah International Pro, UAE Al Ain International Pro, UAE Dubai International Pro, UAE Sharjah International Pro, UAE Fujairah International Pro, UAE Ajman International Pro, UAE Abu Dhabi International Pro, UAE Ulaanbaatar Pro, Mongolia Sydney International Pro, Australia Melbourne International Pro, Australia Orlando International Pro, USA New York International Pro, USA Athens International Pro, Greece Seoul International Pro, South Korea Brasilia International Pro, Brazil Florianopolis International Pro, Brazil Curitiba International Pro, Brazil

ABU DHABI GRAND SLAM JIU-JITSU WORLD TOUR Once again, the tour will make five stops: Japan, USA, Brazil, UAE and the UK. The 5 events combined will offer over US$700,000 in prizes and also add valuable points in the athletes’ ranking. In the past 12 months, huge names such as Felipe Pena, Xande Ribeiro, Beatriz Mesquita, Mackenzie Dern, Gabriel Arges, Jose Junior, Erberth Santos, Faisal Al Kitbe, Adam Wardzinski among many others were part of the events and the new season should only feature even more great fighters in epic battles. Here’s the schedule for this season.

Abu Dhabi Gand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Tokyo

July 15, 2017 Makuhari Messe Convention Center Registration period: May 1st – June 14th (Late registration July 11th) More info: https://events.uaejjf.org/event/8

Abu Dhabi Gand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Los Angeles

NATIONAL PRO CHAMPIONSHIPS The National Pro series is back for another season of events all over the world. The UAEJJF will be promoting 20 events throughout the next 12 months. Each event is exclusive to athletes born in their geographic region. The expectation is for the events combined to host over 30,000 athletes in search of UAEJJF ranking points and the very much coveted travel packages for the 2018 ADWPJJC. The dates of each event will be released shortly. National Pro events already confirmed so far include: Confirmed Events Emirates National Pro Jordan National Pro Bahrain National Pro Kuwait National Pro Brazil National Pro Colombia National Pro Argentina National Pro Uruguay National Pro USA National Pro Canada National Pro Angola National Pro Number 03 - 2017

Croatia National Pro Slovenia National Pro Russia National Pro Greece National Pro Ukraine National Pro Kazakhstan National Pro Scotland National Pro Italy National Pro South Korea National Pro Mongolia National Pro Japan National Pro Australia National Pro South Africa National Pro

September 23-24, 2017 LA Convention Center Registration period: May 1st – August 22nd (Late registration September 19th) More info: https://events.uaejjf.org/event/9

Abu Dhabi Gand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Rio de Janeiro November 10-12, 2017 Arena Carioca 3 Registration period: May 1st – October 9th (Late registration November 6th) More info: https://events.uaejjf.org/event/10

Abu Dhabi Gand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Abu Dhabi January 12-13, 2018 IPIC Arena Registration period: May 1st – December 11th (Late registration January 8th) More info: https://events.uaejjf.org/event/11

Abu Dhabi Gand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour London March 10-11, 2018 Copper Box Arena Registration period: May 1st – February 10th (Late registration March 6th) More info: https://events.uaejjf.org/event/12

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LIFESTYLE TIPS WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: MORGUEFILE

Travel smart,

compete better,

win more

As a new season kicks off, Jiu-Jitsu athletes all over the world prepare to travel around the globe in search of valuable points in the UAEJJF ranking as well as the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals in events in all five continents. That means waiting on airports, dealing with delays, fitting into tight seats for long hours while traveling through multiple time zones. Air travel can be tough on the body and also on your training schedule. That could lead to less than ideal performance on the mats and poor results. In the following pages, you’ll get some valuable tips for traveling smart and getting to each competition as fresh as possible in order to have the best performance possible.

Before flying The better you feel, the lighter jet lag will be. So, eat right, sleep well and maintain your exercise routine. That’s a given. So, no going away parties the night before. Also, don’t forget to be all packed at least 24 hours prior to departure so you avoid that last-minute stress rush. One good tip is to move your sleeping pattern according to your destination. If flying east, go to sleep an hour earlier on the days before the flight. If traveling west, go to sleep an hour later. Another great tip is to pack your pillow. That will make the hotel bed feel more like home. Also, don’t forget to travel in comfortable clothes that include layers (planes can get really cold). Avoid tight pants, suits and anything else that could make the time on the plane more miserable than it needs to be.

On the plane

First of all, allow extra time to go through check in, security, passport control, etc. Nothing ruins a trip more than arriving late to the airport. Once on the plane, pull out your noise canceling headphone (ear plugs work too). As soon as the plane takes off, adjust your watch to the destination time. That will help your brain start functioning in the time zone you’ll be in the next days. If your flight will arrive late in the evening, try to keep awake so when you arrive at your destination, you can go to sleep as everyone else. On the contrary, if you are flying on a red eye arriving early in the morning, do your best to fall asleep. Also, don’t forget to stand up and walk around from time to time. Spending more than a few hours in the same position can only hurt you.

At Your Destination

Arrive at least one day before any official activity at the tournament. Give your body some time to acclimatize. Do your best to synch up to local time. If you arrive early in the morning, even after a long flight, don’t go to sleep when you get to the hotel. Toughen up and stay awake until evening so you are able to sleep at local time. If you can, hit the mats for a (very) light training session. That will “take the plane out” and get you sweating and even more tired for a better night of sleep at night. Another great tip is to maintain the right schedule of meals following local time.

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Airplane food: yes or no?

Remember you are an athlete. If you need to make weight for the tournament you are flying to, close your mouth. If not, still exercise caution, as airplane food is known to be not ideal for a balanced athlete’s diet. Pack your own snacks when possible and drink a lot of water, as airplanes can get really dry. Surely, don’t drink any alcohol and limit the coffee intake.

Items every Jiu-Jitsu traveller needs to pack A Jiu-Jitsu trip is a little different from a regular trip. For instance, you need to bring at least three gis, being one white and two blue (or vice versa), so you don’t have any problems in case of ripping or not getting approved. Also, remember to carry at least one of the gis in your carry on in case the airliner lose your checked baggage. Sure, when we say gi, we also mean belts. Bring at least two belts. You’ll also need tape for your hands. Don’t assume you are going to find tape at your destination. Another wise packing decision is a mouthguard, because a trip to the dentist abroad could cost you a lot. Don’t risk it. Another great packing decision is to bring your own Jiu-Jitsu soap for a good shower after each day of competition. And, of course, don’t forget a copy of Jiu-Jitsu World’s latest issue, so you don’t get bored while flying. Have a great time and we’ll see you on the mats.

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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. 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: ADWPJJC – 6 stars, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – 5 stars, Continental Pro – 4 stars, National Pro – 4 stars, International Pro – 3 stars, UAE regional 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 ranking starting with white belts. You also have a ranking in the male master division, an academy ranking and country 90

rankings (UAE, Brazil, USA, Japan and others). There are also No-Gi and Youth 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 Gi black belt division alone will award over US$50,000, 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

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AROUND THE GLOBE

ZAGREB INTERNATIONAL PRO WORDS: IVAN TRINDADE | IMAGES: UAEJJF

The 2017/2018 UAEJJF Season Opener took place May 13, in Zagreb, Croatia. Hundreds of athletes gathered at the Dom Odbojke Bojan Stranic for a full day of matches. In the black belt division, Pedro Farias won the 77kg and the light open class divisions, Maciej Kozak won the 85kg division and Adam Wardzinski won the 110kg division. In the female purple/brown/black belt, Jessica Andrade won the absolute division. Winners of selected divisions were awarded with travel packages to the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour London, scheduled March 10-11, 2018. In the nations competition, Croatia took first place with 1830pts, followed by Poland with 745pts and Brazil with 565pts. In the teams competition, Results were: 1st – Miladost – Alliance BD (955pts), 2nd – ZR Team Hungary (580pts), 3rd – PSLPB Cicero Costha (450pts).

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MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL PRO

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The Jiu-Jitsu community in Russia gathered for two days on May 20-21 for both gi and no-gi competitions. Hundreds of athletes from all over the region and also from around the world converged to Russia’s capital and tested their skills on the mats. In the black belt division, Felipe Bobrik won both the 94kg gi division and the no-gi 92kg division. In the teams competition, Ludus Alliance Russia finished first with 2785pts, followed by Strela Team with 2063pts and Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu with 1303pts. In the nations competition, results were: 1st – Russia (9668pts), 2nd - Kazakhstan (525pts), 3rd – Uzbekistan (350pts).

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TOKYO INTERNATIONAL PRO

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Jiu-Jitsu returned to Japan on May 20, when hundreds of athletes competed at the first event of the season at the land of the rising sun. From kids to master 2, competitors gave all they had on the mats in search of the ultimate glory. In the adult black belt division, Kazuya Kawashima won the 62kg weight class, Bruno Kikuchi was the 110kg champion and Yuki Kaneko made to the top of the podium in the female brown/black belt 70kg weight class. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Axis JJ Academy (2210pts), 2nd – Checkmat International (430pts), 3rd – Kussano Team (350pts). In the nations ranking, Japan came first (3570pts), followed by Brazil (1180pts) and the USA (480pts).

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TRAVEL AND ROLL WORDS AND IMAGES: IVAN TRINDADE

Train around the world The 2017/2018 season is already underway and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour will once again be a great opportunity for Jiu-Jitsu athletes to embark in a thrilling journey to five of the most exciting cities in the world. Once there, it’s only natural you’ll be looking for places to train. Visiting different gyms and training with different people all over the planet is one of the best sides of being part of the worldwide Jiu-Jitsu movement. In the next two pages, we will help you find the best places to take the plane off your body once you get to your destination and just before you step on the mat to compete. Here we go!

T O K Y O (Japan) The first stop of the Grand Slam Tour in the new season is on July 15. Tokyo breathes martial arts. Jiu-Jitsu and Judo are both a big part of the city’s culture, as well as of the country’s very rich story. Make a stop at Senso-ji temple to get inspired and reflect on the challenges ahead. Felling a little peckish? Tokyo has some of the best restaurants in the world. Feast your senses with some authentic suhi or nurturing ramen noodles. Also don’t miss out on the delicious Yakitori skewers. When it comes to places to train, the capital of Japan has great options. A quick look at the 2016/2017 season ranking points you to the three top academies. Please call before showing up to train. Axis Jiu-Jitsu Academy 1-34-16, Setagaya, Tokyo, 156-0043 Phone: +81 3-3325-6699

Carpe Diem BJJ

E L E S

(USA) Lala Land is waiting for you on September 23-24 for the second leg of the Grand Slam Tour in the 2017/2018 season. Make sure to arrive a few days early to experience a bit of the lay back atmosphere Angelinos love so much. Stroll the boardwalk on Venice Beach, stop at one of the thousands of taco trucks for quick bite (if you are on weight) and even go on a studio tour to get a glimpse of tinsel town. When it comes to training, Los Angeles also has great options of gyms. Don’t forget to call ahead to make sure they take visitors (they always do). Alliance Los Angeles - Cobrinha BJJ 4929 Wilshire Blvd #104 Los Angeles, CA Phone: (323) 931-9953

4-26-16-1F, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, #107-0062 Phone: +81 3-6427-4163 (Japanese) 080-9644-0081(English & French)

Gracie Barra Northridge – Team Romulo Barral

Infight Japan

Checkmat International – Leo Vieira Dojo

Gunma ken Ota-shi, Gunma Phone: +81 80-5094-9873

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19520 Nordhoff St Unit #10 Northridge, CA Phone: (818) 709-1808 2400 Gundry Ave Signal Hill, CA Phone: (562) 287-4009

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R D J I E A N 0

E I R O

The wonderful city is the third stop of the tour on November 10-12 and a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Jiu-Jitsu culture. From the huge açaí bowls you can find everywhere to the coconut water straight from the fruit at world famous Copacabana or Ipanema beaches, the gentle art is everywhere in Rio. Also, if you are up for it, hike up the Pedra da Gávea mountain, one of the favorite outdoor activities by Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in Rio. It even includes a shower at the Sorimã waterfall. Another great option to mingle with the Cariocas is to attend a footbal game of one of the 4 main clubs in Rio: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense and Botafogo. The tickets cost between US$15 and US$ 80. Rio is one of the world’s most important cities when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu, so it’s easy to find places to train. Again, call first. GF Team – Prof. Julio Cesar Pereira Rua Arquias Cordeiro, 478 Méier, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Phone: +55 21 3497-0478

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu – Prof. Alexandre Paiva

Rua Alberto Rangel 71, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Phone: +55 21 3256-7564

Nova União

Rua Marques De Abrantes, 88 Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Phone: +55 21 2553-3485

(Brazil)

A D B H U A B I

(UAE) The world’s capital of professional Jiu-Jitsu will host the fourth leg of the Tour on January 12-13, 2018. There are plenty of options of activities for you to immerse yourself in the Arabic lifestyle. Take a desert safari to get your heart pumping as the driver dives your 4X4 into the sea of dunes. The trip also includes belly dancing show and some traditional Emirati dinner, among other things. If you like shopping, spend some time at the famous Souks and don’t forget to haggle for the best price (vendors expect you to do it). Training Jiu-Jitsu is another favorite activity in the UAE. It’s not hard to find good places to roll. Call ahead, please. UAEJJF Training Center Zayed Sports City Off Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street Abu Dhabi Phone: +971 2 813 4000

Al Jazeera Jiu-Jitsu Club

Al Muroor Road, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St Al Etihad - Abu Dhabi Phone: + 971 2 445 4455

Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed the first Road Abu Dhabi Phone: +971 2 443 3000

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L O N D O N (UK) The Tour concludes in London, on March 10-11, now a twoday event to prove how big is Jiu-Jitsu in Europe. You could spend a whole year in London and yet not even scratch on all the awesome things to do in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Fortunately, in March the weather is usualy already warming up, so you can enjoy London’s public parks. Stop by one of thousands pubs for good British meal of pie and mash or fish and chips (if on weight). If you have some coins to spare, buy tickets to a play on the famous West End theater district. Cross the street like John, Paul, George and Ringo on Abbey Road, pay a visit to Mr. Holmes house on Baker Street and watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. When it comes to training, London is also very well served by some of the best academies in the world. As usual, call first. Roger Gracie Academy 149 Freston Rd London Phone: +44 20 3220 0095

Fightzone London – Checkmat

Wandsworth BJJ – GF Team Local Motion Studios 52 Garratt Lane - 1st Floor London Phone: +44 20 8870 6548

16-22 Pritchard’s Rd, London Phone: +44 7590 379142

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