ABU DHABI // Faisal Al Ketbi is the poster boy for UAE jiu-jitsu, with his picture prominent in the billboards and advertisements for this week's Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
He has been thrust into the role and is enjoying being an ambassador for the sport.
He is not overly keen on being in the limelight, but is doing it for the good of the sport.
“I am more than happy with this role as long as I can inspire the youth and popularize the sport in the country,” the Emirati said.
Al Ketbi, 26, will not only spearhead the UAE’s challenge, but is aiming for a third title in three years in the championship that starts Thursday and ends on Saturday at the FGB Arena at the Zayed Sports City.
He says the national team is better prepared this time around after spending a 45-day camp in Brazil.
Al Ketbi won a gold medal in the brown belt 100kg Copa Podio in Brazil in a culmination of the camp in Rio de Janeiro.
“The camp was very useful to sharpen ourselves ahead of the world championships,” he said.
“The medal I won gave me a good feeling and will provide me with a big boost of confidence.”
Seven of the national team’s 11-member squad competed in the Copa Podio, with Mohammed Darwish Al Nuaimi (white belt 100kg) and Hamdan Al Baloushi (white – 84kg) striking gold. Yahya Al Hammadi took silver in the purple belt 100kg.
“Obviously my goal is to win the gold, but it is going to be very hard. I’m sure even if I lose, I know that I have done my best,” he said regarding the pressure of winning a treble.
“Every fighter must raise the bar every year in this competition because the fights are not getting any easier. This championship draws the best and you need to be at your best on the day to win.”
Mental preparation is important ahead of a big competition and Al Ketbi says his plan was to relax for three or four days before the competition by going to the cinema or out for a meal.
“I have been in competition for quite some time and I know how to relax,” he said. “I would think of the tactics to use during the fight. Then watch some videos of the opponents and work out how to stop them.”
Al Ketbi’s ambition in the championship is to defend his title and win the open class in the brown belt.
“I want to be world champion in the black belt,” he said. “I would like to be a good role model for the Emirati kids and be remembered for what I have achieved in jiu-jitsu.”
The UAE won six gold, two silver and two bronze medals last year and Al Ketbi is confident they can better that record.
“Obviously, we want to win as many medals as possible,” he said. “Every year, we have bettered our medal haul and I would like to think we can do it again.
“The Emirati fighters are now more experienced. We have a lot of medal prospects in the team, and as I said earlier, it will be the best fighter on the day.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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