‘Disability has made me a better fighter’ says Emirati teenager after winning silver at Abu Dhabi World Youth Cup

Khalifa Al Baloushi has battled adversity to represent the UAE national junior team in jiu-jitsu. The 16-year-old Emirati was born with a congenital birth defect that left him with stumped fingers on his left hand.

Khalifa Al Baloushi from UAE, right, wins after defeating Ala al Kayed from Jordan in Abu Dhabi's World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship 2016. Ravindranath / The National ID: 96425

Born with a congenital birth defect that left him with stumped fingers on his left hand, Khalifa Al Baloushi is now a well-known face in UAE jiu-jitsu circles, a sport that has taken off among the Emirati youth since it was introduced in the national curriculum of the Abu Dhabi Public Schools in 2008.

The 16-year-old Emirati was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS), which occurs when an unborn baby becomes entangled in fibrous stringlike amniotic bands in the womb, restricting blood flow and affecting the baby’s development. He won a silver in the blue belt juvenile 61.5-kilogramme weight division in the inaugural Abu Dhabi World Youth Cup at the Ipic Arena on Tuesday.

Khalifa won his three fights, against Ala Al Kayed of Jordan, and his national junior team colleagues Manea Khalifa Al Kaabi and Ahmed Bader Al Rejaibi, before losing to Australian Gilgamesh Blanch in the final.

It adds to the medal collection of the Grade 11 pupil from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed School in Al Ain, along with the bronze medal at the American National Kids Championship in California in October 2014, gold in the World Junior Championship in Athens on March 2015 and a bronze at the Madrid Youth Championship last month.

See also:

• Marcus Almeida in Abu Dhabi healthy and ready to maintain his place in ever-evolving jiu-jitsu

• Faisal Al Ketbi in 'good shape' for the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Championship

• Girl power at Day 3 of Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship – in pictures

How did you get into jiu-jitsu??

When jiu-jitsu was first introduced to the school curriculum. I watched the others train and one day the coach asked me to join them. I was reluctant at first but my coach insisted that I try.

How did he manage to hook you into the sport?

He showed me a Brazilian jiu-jitsu player [Jean Jacques Machado] on YouTube. He was like me. I was inspired by what I saw and from that time up to now Machado is my role model.

Was your disability a hindrance when you first took up the sport?

It was. I was mindful of the deformity even at school and even when I first started jiu-jitsu. I had to virtually fight with one hand, but my school coach created my pathway to what I have achieved so far in the sport.

Does your disability still affect your performances?

Not anymore. I’m still mastering the art but I feel perfectly comfortable and confident. I use my right hand to grip and the left hand to roll around like a hook. As a matter of fact, I must say the disability has made me a better fighter.

What is your long term objective?

To become a black belt and turn professional. Jiu-jitsu has given me so much joy and recognition. I feel I have achieved something despite the handicap. I’m proud to be in the national junior team and compete at international championships. I think I owe all that to jiu-jitsu.

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