PHUKET, Thailand // Faisal Al Ketbi, who took jiu-jitsu double gold at the fourth Asian Beach Games, said he had been fired up after he received a telephone call from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
“What better motivation can one get?” he asked after winning the Open weight division in an all-Emirati final against Khalfan Humaid at the popular tourist resort of Patong Beach yesterday.
Sheikh Mohammed, also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, spoke to all the members of the team after they had bagged seven medals in the opening day of the competition on Wednesday.
“Talking to His Highness relieved the pressure in me,” Al Ketbi said.
“It was inspirational words. He not only congratulated us but encouraged us to dedicate ourselves in what we do and continue with our work.”
“His Highness not only spoke to me and those who won medals but also to those who didn’t achieve anything in the competition.”
Al Ketbi completed the double after winning his 90-kilogramme weight class on the opening day for the UAE to finish with four gold medals, two silver and three bronze in the six championship divisions for men and three for women.
Shafaa Hassan, the UAE’s only female competitor, retired midway in the bronze medal round after a finger injury against Nguyen Thin Lan of Vietnam in the 60kg-plus.
In the Open division, Al Ketbi drew a first-round bye before getting the better of Chakrit Chidsin of Thailand with an arm-lock with more than two minutes left.
The Emirati black belt clinched a close semi-final win over Nacif Elias of Lebanon, getting the referees’ verdict for more offensive moves after the scores were tied at 1-1 at the end of the six minutes.
“There are no easy fights in this sport,” Al Ketbi said. “It was a remarkable two days for us and we want to dedicate these medals to the Rulers and the people back home.
“I am also glad Khalfan made it to the final. He was really outstanding, winning his weight division and silver in the Open weight.
“I wish all those youth practising the art in our country will be encouraged by the success we have to take jiu-jitsu more seriously. More participation means more competitions and that’s the way forward.
“For jiu-jitsu to be included in the Beach Games for the first time was a massive shot in the arm for the sport. Here we saw some outstanding talent from countries we never knew the game was popular in.
“I am sure the bar will be raised at the next Beach Games [in Nha Trang in Vietnam in 2016] with more competitors, more competitions and more countries.”
Humaid had a tougher route, edging out Ariuntsog Baasandorj of Mongolia on technical advantage after a 2-2 score.
He got the better of Mohammed Ali of Kuwait (5-0 on points) and outclassed Pakistan’s Ahmed Butt (6-0) in the semi-final.
Humaid used excellent technical skills to score points in a ground battle over his taller and heavier opponent and the gold medallist in the 90kg-plus weight class.
“I was hoping I would meet Ahmed just to prove a point, that the height and the weight wasn’t an advantage. You can still win if you have good technique skills to counter,” Humaid said.
Maico Reiter, the UAE’s Brazilian coach, was full of praise for his team for the excellent overall results.
“We came for a job and we achieved it. These guys were great. They were fighting with pride for their country. Each one of them carried a million Emirati hopes,” he said.
In the women’s division, the Philippines won two gold medals and Mongolia took the other.
“Jiu-jitsu is popular in most gyms in Manila and the success we have had tonight will encourage more competitors to come over for the next competition,” said Annie Ramirez, winner of the 50kg final.
apassela@thenational.ae
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