MOHAMED HAILS KETBI’S GOLDEN FEAT AT WORLD’S
ABU DHABI: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, called the UAE National Team’s star ighter Faisal Al Ketbi to congratulate him on winning the gold medal for the category of under 94 kg, after competing against 13 international players at the World Jiu-jitsu Championship in Bogota, Colombia, organised by the International Jiu-jitsu Federation. The Championship began on Nov.23 and will continue until Nov.27.
The UAE National Team, represented by four players of different weight categories in the Championship, comprises Faisal Al Ketbi, under 94kg; Obaid Al Nuaimi, under 56kg; Saeed Al Mazrouei, under 62kg and Saood Al Hammadi, under 77kg. They are accompanied by Youssef Al Balooshi, Director of the Technical Department at the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), who is heading the delegation and Ramon Limos De Souza, the Head of Coaches at UAEJJF.
Abdulmoneim Al Sayed Al Hashemi, President of the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation, UAEJJF, the Asian Jiujitsu Federation and First Deputy President of the International Jiujitsu Federation, said, “Raising the UAE flag high in international events is one of the most important objectives of Jiu-jitsu. HH Sheikh Mohamed’s words of appreciation to our hero Ketbi is a distinction we are all proud of. Ketbi has proven that he can take on the responsibility of representing our nation in international sports platforms, for he has demonstrated the sufficient skills, potential and caliber to accomplish this achievement.”
“We are ever so grateful for this milestone, and we congratulate the whole of UAE for having made its imprint in this international championship. Our National Team’s participation in this event is a continuation of the series of outstanding achievements the players have been able to accomplish in previous international events,” said Youssef Al Blooshi.
“The championship witnessed high level technical skills as the participants n topped the rankings of the International Jiu-jitsu Federation and its championships. More than 35 national teams took part in this championship from all over the world. However, Faisal proved his competency and ability to undertake this challenge,” Blooshi added.
It is noteworthy, that the general assembly of the International Jiujitsu Federation is set to take place right after the Championship concludes, where Ketbi will represent the UAE National Team’s players committee.
The UAE National Team’s star fighter Ketbi has won multiple medals internationally during the current season, 2017-18. He has won a gold and a silver medal at the Olympic games in Poland, in addition to two gold medals and a silver medal at the 2nd Asian Championship in Hanoi, Vietnam; and two gold medals in the Asian Indoor Games in Turkmenistan; adding another gold medal at Colombia to his portfolio of achievements.
With Obaid Al Nuaimi to be seen in action on Saturday in the under 56kg category with eight other players, Saeed Al Mazrouei competing in the under 62kg category with 14 other players and Saood Al Hammadi competing in the under 77kg category with 19 other players, the UAE can hope for more laurels.
Meanwhile, Ketbi is scheduled to play once more on Monday, Nov.27, in the free-weight category.