ABU DHABI: A top European jiu-jitsu official has praised the UAE for its huge efforts in trying to position the sport on the Olympic map.
President of the German Jiu-Jitsu Federation and senior vice president of the Jiu-Jitsu European Union, Michael Korn, said that it was not surprising for the UAE to achieve such excellence in hosting the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship 2022, given the success it had organizing previous editions.
Korn told the Emirates News Agency that the UAE was working extremely hard to put the sport on the Olympic map.
And he pointed out that the latest developments on the matter along with plans for improving the sport would be focal points during the congress meeting taking place as part of the championship.
The UAE was leading the way in adding jiu-jitsu to the Olympic Games, especially given its status as the most prominent player in the world of jiu-jitsu, as well as being the home of both the Asian and international jiu-jitsu federations, Korn added.
And he noted that all jiu-jitsu federations had confidence in the UAE’s ability to reach that goal.
The official also highlighted the Emirate’s notable role in hosting world championships and acting as a catalyst to accelerate the world’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and its return to normalcy, which reflected positively on the progress seen across the sport.
UAE working hard to put jiu-jitsu on Olympic sports map: Top official
https://arab.news/ypq95
UAE working hard to put jiu-jitsu on Olympic sports map: Top official
- Jiu-Jitsu EU’s senior VP not surprised Emirates achieving excellence in hosting world championship
Alcaraz and Sabalenka set sights on Australian Open fourth round
- Spanish world number one Alcaraz came through a tough three-set arm-wrestle in round two
- Top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faces Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova
MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return to the Australian Open battlefield on Friday with fourth round berths at stake, joined in the fight by third seeds Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev.
Spanish world number one Alcaraz came through a tough three-set arm-wrestle in round two and faces another tricky encounter against French 32nd seed Corentin Moutet.
The 22-year-old has again been handed an afternoon match on Rod Laver Arena, once more following Sabalenka on to Melbourne Park’s center court.
The Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faces Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova to kick-off day six where temperatures are forecast to soar.
Alcaraz, who is bidding for a career Grand Slam of all four majors, said his testing 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Yannick Hanfmann in round two served him well.
“I’m still getting used to the conditions, getting used to playing better,” said the six-time Grand Slam winner.
“Just happy that I’m just improving every day after every match. So hopefully being better in the next round.”
Alcaraz has never gone past the quarter-finals in his four trips to Australia.
Should he beat Moutet, he will meet either American 19th seed Tommy Paul or Spanish 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to make the last eight once again.
Sabalenka, as the overwhelming favorite, was upset by Madison Keys in last year’s final but insists revenge is not her motivation.
“I look at each match as a new match, new opportunity. I have also been working really hard,” she said.
“For me, it doesn’t matter what was in the past. For me, it’s the new match.”
Like Sabalenka, Gauff has been impressive so far, saying she was “near perfect” in making the third round.
She faces fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 70, on Margaret Court Arena.
World number three Gauff takes to the court after Russia’s three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev, who lines up against Hungary’s Fabian Marozan.
Last year’s beaten finalist Zverev has dropped a set in both his opening two matches and will have a tough encounter in an evening clash on John Cain Arena against British 26th seed Cameron Norrie.
Women’s seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and men’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik are also in action.
Home hope and sixth seed Alex De Minaur has again been awarded the night match on center court, this time against dangerous American Frances Tiafoe.
Eighth seed Mirra Andreeva rounds out the day’s action on Rod Laver Arena in a clash with Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
