Black belt Zayed Al Katheeri confident he can defend Abu Dhabi World Pro jiu-jitsu title

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.

Al Ketbi is the first Emirati to receive a black belt in jiu-jitsu but has never won a gold medal at black belt. His previous gold medal performances came in blue and brown belts.

Al Katheeri describes his compatriot as a "role model" for others to aspire to and said the entire UAE jiu-jitsu fraternity was rooting for him to win.

“Faisal is an Emirati jiu-jitsu legend and a role model to the emerging generation of fighters,” Al Katheeri said. “The championship is celebrating 15 years and Faisal has competed in all. It will really be great if he can win the title as a black belt. I think the entire jiu-jitsu