ABU DHABI // Beatriz Mesquita has seen it all. She is impressed by the progress, development and the growing popularity of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship since her first visit in 2010.
Mesquita was 18 when she first arrived in Abu Dhabi, after coming through a qualification trial in Brazil to compete in the women’s category, introduced for the first time in the second staging of the world championship four years ago.
“This championship is now the most prestigious, richest and the most difficult to win in the world circuit,” said the Brazilian, who has participated in every edition of the women’s competition.
“I see a big change every time I visit Abu Dhabi. The championship just keeps growing bigger and better. This is the championship that everyone now wants to win.
“When I first participated, it was only those who qualified from the trials [conducted by the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation], but now everyone wants to pay and travel for this competition.
“It is also financially rewarding. As professionals, everyone likes to be paid for what they do.
“I think everyone will agree with me that the championship in Abu Dhabi is now the most important because it draws the best fighters from around the world.”
With Dh1.6 million on offer, the three-day championship at the Zayed Sports City’s new FGB Arena is set to draw more than 700 competitors from more than 70 countries. It begins Thursday.
Mesquita won her black belt 66kg weight division last year after being runner-up in her first three visits.
“I hope this time I can defend my weight class as well as try to win the open class,” she said. “When I first took part in this championship, there were only a few fighters in the women’s category, but it has grown bigger and better.”
Mesquita arrived in Abu Dhabi on the back of a double gold, in her weight class and the open division, in the Pan-Am championship in California last month. She was returning to action for the first time following a hip injury that ruled her out for more than six months.
"Jiu-jitsu is my passion since starting at the age of five," she said. "I love the sport more than the money. I can still manage a living out of it. I tried to do a little bit of coaching for the kids, but gave up because I find it very difficult to find time for my own training."
When asked her opinion on the development of the sport among the Emirati women, she added: “I think they are doing what they already need to do and are getting better.
“There is a lot of support from their federation, and if they continue to work hard, they can surely get good results.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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