Omar Al Fadhli: The 18-year-old Emirati underlined his status as the emerging star after winning his 62kg blue belt weight and with it the UAEJJF world No 1 title in the blue belt. It was also his first gold in the adult division in the World Pro. Al Fadhli was promptly elevated to purple belt by Ribamar Santiago, his Brazilian high performance coach. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Joao Rocha: The Brazilian clinched gold in the black belt 110-kilogram weight. He also won the spectators' hearts having returned to competitive action following his battle with testicular cancer. Rocha, who returned to Abu Dhabi after six years, won eight fights. Reem Mohammed / The National
Gabriel de Sousa: The Brazilian was crowned the fourth UAEJJF world No 1 – in only his first year in the black belt division – thereby following in the footsteps of compatriots Erberth Santos, Jose Junior and Igor Silva. De Sousa took part in 15 competitions, winning 13 gold medals. Reem Mohammed / The National
Gabrieli Pessanha: At just 18 years old, the Brazilian was crowned female world No 1 after racking up 10 golds in 10 competitions and ending the UAEJJF season undefeated on 20 fights. Raised in the notorious favela of Cidade de Deus in Rio de Janeiro, Pessanha credits jiu-jitsu with helping her lead a better life. Courtesy UAEJJF
Annie Ramirez: The Filipina fighter touched many a heart after breaking down following her victory in the purple belt 55kg final against American Sophia Dalpra. The 28-year-old black belt in judo is a jiu-jitsu teacher for children, including those with hearing impairment, and was understandably emotional having won her first gold on the world circuit after four years of trying. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tommy Langaker: The Norwegian became the only non-Brazilian to win a black belt gold on Friday. The 25-year-old got the better of Briton Oliver Lovell with a choke submission. But he earlier saw off a Portuguese, a Swede and two Brazilians, including the favourite Diego Ramalho, en route to the 77kg final. Reem Mohammed / The National
Omar Al Fadhli: The 18-year-old Emirati underlined his status as the emerging star after winning his 62kg blue belt weight and with it the UAEJJF world No 1 title in the blue belt. It was also his first gold in the adult division in the World Pro. Al Fadhli was promptly elevated to purple belt by Ribamar Santiago, his Brazilian high performance coach. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Joao Rocha: The Brazilian clinched gold in the black belt 110-kilogram weight. He also won the spectators' hearts having returned to competitive action following his battle with testicular cancer. Rocha, who returned to Abu Dhabi after six years, won eight fights. Reem Mohammed / The National
Gabriel de Sousa: The Brazilian was crowned the fourth UAEJJF world No 1 – in only his first year in the black belt division – thereby following in the footsteps of compatriots Erberth Santos, Jose Junior and Igor Silva. De Sousa took part in 15 competitions, winning 13 gold medals. Reem Mohammed / The National
Gabrieli Pessanha: At just 18 years old, the Brazilian was crowned female world No 1 after racking up 10 golds in 10 competitions and ending the UAEJJF season undefeated on 20 fights. Raised in the notorious favela of Cidade de Deus in Rio de Janeiro, Pessanha credits jiu-jitsu with helping her lead a better life. Courtesy UAEJJF
Annie Ramirez: The Filipina fighter touched many a heart after breaking down following her victory in the purple belt 55kg final against American Sophia Dalpra. The 28-year-old black belt in judo is a jiu-jitsu teacher for children, including those with hearing impairment, and was understandably emotional having won her first gold on the world circuit after four years of trying. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tommy Langaker: The Norwegian became the only non-Brazilian to win a black belt gold on Friday. The 25-year-old got the better of Briton Oliver Lovell with a choke submission. But he earlier saw off a Portuguese, a Swede and two Brazilians, including the favourite Diego Ramalho, en route to the 77kg final. Reem Mohammed / The National
Omar Al Fadhli: The 18-year-old Emirati underlined his status as the emerging star after winning his 62kg blue belt weight and with it the UAEJJF world No 1 title in the blue belt. It was also his first gold in the adult division in the World Pro. Al Fadhli was promptly elevated to purple belt by Ribamar Santiago, his Brazilian high performance coach. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
