?Bahrain’s national jiu jitsu team made a remarkable show at the recently-concluded Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, winning 10 medals in total.
The nationals took three gold, six silver and one bronze amidst stiff challenge from other fighters from around the world. Bahrain opened its account impressively, winning five medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) on the first day.
Abdulla Sina opened Bahrain’s account, taking home the 76kg gold medal. Ali Monfaradi then bagged the 83kg silver (brown belt), before Mohammed Isa added a second silver for Bahrain in the 83kg (purple belt).
Mohammed Abu Idris bagged another silver in the 75kg (purple), then teammate Jassim Al Abbasi finished third in the 92kg (blue belt) to secure podium.
On the second day, Bahrain added two gold and three silver medals, bringing the total upto 10 medals.
These medals included two gold won by Mohammed Abu Idris (69kg, purple belt) and Ali Monfaradi (77kg, brown) and three silver medals by Abdulla Seena (62kg, purple) , Maytham Ali (77kg, blue) and Mohammed Isa (77kg, purple).
Meanwhile, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports deputy general secretary and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) general secretary Abdulrahman Askar yesterday (Sunday) welcomed members of the team on return from the UAE.
Askar, along with Bahrain Self Defence Association general secretary Khalid Al Hasan and BOC sports federations director Hisham Al Baloshi, congratulated the team on this achievement, which he attributed to the hard work of the team officials as well as to the high spirit, dedication and determination of the Bahraini athletes.
More than 220 jiu-jitsu athletes competed at the IPIC Arena in what was the penultimate leg of a five-round championship organised by the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF).
A total of 54 nationalities have signed up to take part in the event, with the hosts — as is custom — boasting the most athletes at 459. More than 150 Brazilians and almost 60 Colombians have also travelled to the Gulf to compete for a share of the $100,000 prize fund (BD37,700).