Yara Nascimento crowned Queen of Mats on opening day of Abu Dhabi Grand Slam finale

Yara Nascimento was crowned Queen of Mats, the feature event on Day 1 of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam World Tour at Zayed Sports City’s Jiu-Jitsu Arena on Friday.

The Brazilian rounded off the fourth edition of the six-player league contest for the world’s top ranked black belt women with a perfect record.

A four-time Abu Dhabi Grand Slam champion, Nascimento is the only heavyweight in the circuit to win against compatriot Gabrieli Pessanha, winner of both Queen of Mats and Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship titles last year.

Pessanha wasn’t competing in this year’s lineup but the competition featured Julia Boscher, a three-time Abu Dhabi Grand Slam champion, Ingridd Sousa, last year’s gold medallist in the 70kg division at the Abu Dhabi World Pro, as well as Thalyta Silva, who generated huge attention for her performance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in London.

Rebeca Lima, the youngest at 19, and runner-up in the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Slam London, and the Abu Dhabi-based Rafaela Bertolot were the other two in the league.

Nascimento won all her fights and the final contest against Bertolot by submission.

“I can't describe how thrilled I am,” she said after claiming one of her biggest jiu-jitsu career prizes. “Winning the title tonight means I was able to surpass the best in my sport and I need to thank my technical staff for providing us with everything in terms of training and support.”

Nascimento, 26, will be aiming for a double when she takes part in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam for Professionals on Sunday.

“It was tough tonight with five fights against some of the best athletes in the circuit,” she added. “It’s always hard to win in combat sports but I have had it going wonderful so far and now looking ahead