Ricardo Evangelista fighting fit ahead of tilt at Abu Dhabi Grand Slam title in Los Angeles

Dubai Open gold medallist fighting fit for start of next leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in Los Angeles, reports Amith Passela.

Ricardo Evangelista, left, was a double gold medal winner at the recent Dubai Open. Courtesy: International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

Ricardo Evangelista kick-started his season belatedly last week when he won both the black belt weight and open categories at the Dubai Open.

The Brazilian, who moved to the UAE two years ago, has now set his sights on winning the second leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, which takes place today at the Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles.

Evangelista, 29, was not 100 per cent at the Dubai Open as he was still recovering from illness. But he says he feels a lot better heading for his first Grand Slam event.

“My objective is to participate in every ranking competition, both local and Grand Slam events, and achieve maximum points in this first season (that) a ranking system has been introduced,” he said. “Going to Los Angeles, I’m still not 100 per cent but good enough to be more competitive. It’s a long season and I wish I can raise my levels with every competition, and hit peak for my third appearance at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Cup in April.”

Evangelista had to miss the opening event of the UAE season, the Al Ain Open in September, and the opening leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in Tokyo in August as he was away in Brazil.

“The Grand Slam Tour is only in its first season and already the jiu-jitsu world is abuzz about it,” he said.

“I believe this event will bring the best of the best from around the world aside from the two established world championship events in both Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi.”

Evangelista’s first visit to Abu Dhabi was in 2011 for two months, and he decided to return in 2013 as an instructor for the Commando Group.

The Brazilian had to decide between Boston, where he was working as an instructor, and Abu Dhabi.

He eventually decided on the latter because of the status of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

“I have found happiness in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “I live a comfortable life with my wife (Mayara) and son (Heiter) born in Abu Dhabi.

“And apart from that, I enjoy my work and have more time to train for competitions even though we have to share the home chores with a 13-month-old son.”

Evangelista has twice participated in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship, winning a bronze in 2014 and finishing fourth in 2015.

His biggest triumph to date he says was his quarter-final victory over the multiple world champion Marcus Almeida in the World Championship in Los Angeles earlier in the year.

“That’s something that I will remember for a long time,” he said. “I am also looking ahead for the new season as never before, now that I have more time to train apart from training others, but my head is in jiu-jitsu 24 hours.”

Evangelista also praised the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) for its development work.

“The school programme that has drawn more than 40,000 boys and girls to practise jiu-jitsu is a credit to the UAEJJF,” he said. “They have some strong entries in various categories entered for the Grand Slam in Los Angeles and should do well, and even if they don’t win any medals, the experience will help them develop.

“However, down the line the UAE will be able to produce world champions, for the kind of development programme they have been doing.”

The UAE has sent a strong contingent to Los Angeles for the Grand Slam Tour, which consists of four legs in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro (December 5-6) and London (March 19-20).

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE