Naser Al Buraiki expects this week’s Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship to be his toughest challenge yet as the UAE governing body announced more than 6,000 competitors will compete in the 10-day tournament.
It will be the biggest turn-out for the annual multi-category competition, which has been extended to 10 days for the first time since it was launched in 2009.
The tournament begins with the World Festival on Friday, while the youngsters will battle for glory in the World Youth Cup on Sunday and Monday. Then the adult professionals will be on show in the five-day competition including reigning women’s and men’s Open champions Mackenzie Dern and Marcus Almeida.
It’s a tournament that certainly excites Emirati Al Buraiki. The 25-year-old has only been practising the sport for two years but has made huge strides.
On his debut in last year’s competition, he won bronze medal in the Open weight category in white belt. In August in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour in Tokyo, he went even better, coming out on top in the white belt 77kg, as well as finishing third in the Open division.
While he admits those achievements will give a lot of confidence when he lines up in the Under-69kg category, Al Buraiki insists he will need to up his game, considering the world’s best are in town.
“I’ve been competing for two years but now that the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation have announced that more than 6,000 players are participating in different categories, that shows that this tournament will not be easy,” he said.
“I know from my past experience competing here last year that it was difficult but I did extremely well to get the bronze medal in the Open white belt category.
“Every year the tournament gets bigger. This is among the best jiu-jitsu competitions in the world and with people coming from different countries, you will be up against different opponents you’ve never met before.
“But I’ve been practising hard and if I get a medal in the Under-69kg, I will consider competing in the Open division.”
Defending Open women’s champion, Dern, who will be a strong favourite to retain her title, said: “I am honoured to be here in the UAE, competing in this incredible championship and being amongst so many great players.
“I know with every year that passes the level of skill on display reaches unthinkable new heights. So I hope I can do myself proud and I would love to walk away once again as champion.”
Almeida is no stranger to the tournament, having claimed a hat-trick of titles in the capital.
“You look at tournaments such as this one in Abu Dhabi and it fills you with pride to be a part of it,” said the 26-year-old Brazilian.
“Having competed before, I have seen the championship progress through the years and witnessed the passion of the fans and the players, and there is nothing quite like it. I am hopeful that I can walk away as world champion.”
