ABU DHABI // Sergiu Toma, who won a judo bronze medal for the UAE at the Rio Olympics, returns to action in the three-day Grand Slam Abu Dhabi at the Ipic Arena starting Friday.
Also representing the UAE are Khalifa Al Hosani, Mihail Marchitan and Victor Scvortov – another Olympian – in the men’s category, and Sarah Eisa, Amna Atiq and Reem Abdouli in the women’s event.
The Grand Slam has drawn nearly 200 entries from 34 countries, with US$150,000 (Dh551,000) prize money and 14 gold medals up for grabs for both men and women.
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“The number is a little bit less compared to last year because normally after the Olympics, most the of the teams take a two to three-month break,” said Naser Al Tamimi, general secretary of the UAE Wrestling, Judo and Kick Boxing Federation.
“But for the Grand Slam, this number is very big, because we have seen in other competitions like the Grand Prix held after the Olympics the participation was very less.”
Al Tamimi expects the UAE to win at least two gold medals through Toma (81 kilogram) and Scvortov (73kg).
“Our team has prepared well and are ready,” he said. “We have three women participating in the Grand Slam for the first time. This is a good step as we are looking to build on the Olympic medal.”
The UAE had three judokas at Rio: Toma, Scvortov and Ivan Remarenco. Toma became only the second UAE Olympic medallist after Sheikh Ahmed bin Hasher’s gold in the double-trap shooting at the 2004 Athens Games.
Toma is scheduled to meet Brazilian Rafael Macedo, while Scvortov takes on Luis Carmo of Portugal in their opening bouts.
The UAE women’s coach, Chadlia Ghelis, is confident the Emirati females can make a big impact.
“I believe no competitor is stronger than our girls,” the Tunisian coach said. “They are also tough and I hope to see them on the podium.”
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