General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Thursday attended the launch of the first edition of Jiu-jitsu Asian Open Cup 2011 at the UAE Wrestling Judo '&' Jiu Jitsu Federation in Abu Dhabi.
The Asian Open Cup runs for three days with US$80000 in prize money for winners.
Sheikh Mohammed attended some of the competitions of kids (10-11 and 12-year-olds) who hold the white, yellow, orange and green belts and are in the weight categories of 30 kg, -34 kg, 38 kg, 42 kg, 46 kg, 50 kg, 50 kg, 54 kg, 58 kg and over 58 kg.
Upon arrival, Sheikh Mohammed was received at the UAE Wrestling Judo '&' Jiu Jitsu Federation by Mohammed Bin Tha'loub Al Derea, President of the Federation, Mohammed Al Mahmoud, Deputy Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare '&' Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Nasser Al Tamimi, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Judo '&' Jiu Jitsu Federation and a host of Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed also met with 25 female students of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Preparatory school which integrated Jiu Jitsu in the curriculum, as well as a female supervisor and two female Jiu Jitsu trainers.
He also congratulated Khalifa Mohammed Murad Nasrati, a 7th-grade promising student at the Sultan Bin Zayed School in Al Ain for winning the gold medal for his weight category -34 kg. Nasrati was accompanied by his Brazilian trainer Pedro during the meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
Meanwhile, competitions for other weight and belt categories were held later today at the same venue.