ABU DHABI // Jiu-Jitsu has transformed the lives of youngsters in the UAE and the benefits were evident at the Emirates Super Cup for Kids in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.
Vladyslav Dzhoklo, who relocated with his parents to Dubai several years ago, took up jiu-jitsu purely as a way to lose weight.
The Grade 11 pupil from the Russian International School in Dubai has won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze from the four competitions he has competed in since taking up the sport two years ago.
Photo gallery: Plenty of throws and falls at Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Kids Super Cup
Dzhoklo, 16, was the winner of the 71.5-kilogram weight division in the Emirates Super Cup for Kids, which ended on Saturday at the FGB Arena at Zayed Sports City.
“Last year I was runner up in the same competition,” he said. “Thereafter I won the Abu Dhabi Kids Open and a bronze medal at the World Jiu-jitsu Children’s Cup.
“I started jiu-jitsu mainly to reduce weight,” he said. “I didn’t have any physical activities since arriving in Dubai. I was gaining weight by the day and that’s the time I decided to join the jiu-jitsu classes.
“I am fit and stronger, and the success I have had has motivated me to continue to train even harder. I don’t know if I would pursue full-time but I am enjoying what I am doing at the moment.”
Salem Mubarak Zayed, 12, was a member of the UAE junior team that travelled to California for the American National Kids Championship.
He won a silver medal in the US and on Sarurday, he took gold in the grey belt junior 66.5kg.
As part of the UAE squad he had the opportunity to shake hands with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
“I never even dreamt that I would shake hands with His Highness,” said Zayed, from Jern Yafoor school in Abu Dhabi. “It has been a wonderful journey for me so far. So there are no reasons why I shouldn’t pursue jiu-jitsu full-time.”
Mohammed Abdulqader Al Hashmi, 14, from Al Abbas bin Abdel Muttalib School in Ruwais took up jiu-jitsu for self defence and has won two gold medals and two bronze in four competitions.
Khaled Ahmed Hajhmdou, 13, followed his older sibling to the sport and is undefeated in 15 competitions.
“I spend two hours in training at school and one-and-a-half hours at the FGB Arena five days a week since I started three years ago,” he said after claiming the gold in the 66.5kg-plus yellow belt division.
Nathaniel Goad, 12, made the switch from Taekwondo to jiu-jitsu and took silver in the 54.5kg.
“I wanted to get fitter and stronger,” said the Australian schoolboy, who has been living in Abu Dhabi for seven years.
He has been practising jiu-jitsu for two years and won a bronze medal at the World Jiu-jitsu Children’s Cup.
The Emirates Open for Kids saw 1,318 boys and girls competing in 132 different weight and age categories over two days.
apassela@thenational.ae
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