Zayed Al Katheeri, the first Emirati to win a gold medal as a black belt at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, is confident he can replicate that success at this year's event and says he is ready to take on all comers.
The championship, popularly known as the World Pro, has drawn over 7,000 entries from 127 countries to Mubadala Arena from November 1-10.
This year's total prize fund is Dh3 million. Al Katheeri goes for gold in the men’s 56-kilogram weight division and hopes to use home support to his advantage. “I’m competing in familiar surroundings and in front of my home fans, I should be more pumped up for the title defence,” Al Katheeri told The National during the launch ceremony of the event on Monday. “I was thrilled when I won it last year and I’m more confident this time around. "But I have to be realistic, too.
It’s hard to predict the outcomes in this game but I’m fully prepared to take on anyone as I did the last time.” Also competing is the UAE's most decorated jiu-jitsu athlete, Faisal Al Ketbi, who holds the distinction of taking part in all 14 editions of the World Pro to date.