The U.A.E. has pioneered many international jiu-jitsu events in the recent past and perhaps one of the first big milestones for the home bred jiu-jitsukas was when Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal bin Khalid Al Qasimi finished second in an event featuring some of the leading names in the world in Rio de Janeiro, which ended during the weekend.
During the same event, Sheikh Tariq earned a higher degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, becoming only the third Emirati to achieve this distinction.
Abu Dhabi has held many prize-rich international championships in the recent past with the world's best taking part on a regular basis.
More than 1,000 jiu-jitsukas representing about 30 countries took part in the Rio championships, according to information sent on behalf of the contingent which returned to the U.A.E..
A jubilant Al Qasimi said: "This result represents a national achievement and it highlights the support of our state for sports activities and its relentless push towards achieving world honours, especially the great support I received in this sport from General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces.
"It's more than a personal accomplishment, and I hope that it will contribute to the strengthening of the hopes and aspirations of young citizens to raising the U.A.E. flag high on the international stage.”
Sheikh Tariq excelled throughout the week long championships in the Brazilian capital.
He is no stranger to honours abroad. He won a tournament held under the auspices of the International Federation of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the Lisbon earlier this year.
Recently, a leading Arabic magazine had praised Sheikh Tariq's show in the Azali championship in Lisbon.
The sport of jiu-jitsu especially the more popular Brazilian version, is a self-defence technique/system that focuses on grappling and ground hand combat.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu was formed out of Kodokan judo. Brazilian jiu-jitsu eventually came to be its own art through the experimentations, practices, and adaptation from other martial forms as well.
Source: WAM