ABU DHABI // Faisal Al Ketbi is eying a double gold in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam after success on the opening day’s No-Gi (without the traditional kimono) competition at the Zayed Sports City’s Ipic Arena on Friday.
The Emirati clinched a tactical battle over Brazilian Marcos Costa in the black belt 83-kilogramme weight category final.
Costa adopted a guard position from the onset and hardly made an attacking foray while Al Ketbi’s more straightforward approach won him the judges’ verdict after a scoreless result over the six-minute bout.
“He was waiting for me to make a mistake but I didn’t fall for it,” Al Ketbi said.
“I’m glad the first day’s work is behind me. Indeed, it was a good first day’s work and a result, but the bigger challenge for me is the next day’s [Gi] competition.
“The objective is to take this momentum forward and add a second gold for my fans and the country.”
Al Ketbi drew a first-round bye and won a unanimous points decision over another Brazilian Vinicius Almeida in the semis.
Joining him on the podium for the host nation was Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, who is enjoying a remarkable season.
He got the better of American Tyler Edworthy on points in the brown belt 108kg Masters-1 final to claim his 11th international gold medal since August.
Al Hammadi struck double gold at both the inaugural Asian Beach Championship in Sri Lanka and the Asian Beach Games in Vietnam. He repeated that feat at the Arab Championship in Jordan and returned with a gold and bronze from the inaugural Asian Championship in Turkmenistan.
“There are no secrets to my success but the continuous work and following the programme of our federation,” he said. “I hope I can take this forward to the next competition, then the Grand Slam London in March and the World Pro in Abu Dhabi in April.”
Al Hammadi revealed he adopted a different tactic going into the competition in Abu Dhabi.
“I want to start the New Year with a resolution,” he said. “I tested my new style and approach, which I have been working with my coach for a while, as everyone in the circuit know of my techniques. It was successful.”
Saturday’s action begins at 10am with some of the world’s best vying for a slice of the Dh735,000 prize fund.
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