Images: Ane Nunes/AJP
[Press release.]
After the tremendously successful heavyweight bracket in Moscow this past June, the Abu Dhabi King of Mats (ADKOM) is now on its way to Japan for another full day of matches. This time, the revolutionary event will feature 8 of the best lightweight black belts in the world. It is scheduled July 27, on day 1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour Tokyo. Seven of the names have already been announced by the AJP. The eighth name should be announced shortly.
The seven names already announced in the 8-man roster include a variety of both experienced competitors and upcoming talents form all over the world. The list is:
Gabriel de Sousa (Brazil) – The leader of the adult male black belt rankings in the 2018/2019 season finished in third place at the last lightweight ADKOM, in London, this past March. This time, he wants to go all the way.
Tomoyuki Hashimoto (Japan) – One of the greatest talents to come out of Japan, Tomoyuki is a 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tokyo champion and should again be a force competing on his home turf.
Diego “Pato” Batista (Brazil) – Coming out of a recent gold medal campaign at the ADGS Moscow, his first ever competition as a black belt, Diego is more than ready to face more experienced black belts and continue to leave his mark.
Nobuhiro Sawada (Japan) – Another talented competitors that will have the home crowd advantage in Tokyo. Sawada is a familiar face in acute phases of AJP competitions and should not be overlooked in the bracket.
Carlos Alberto “Bebeto” Oliveira (Brazil) – Bebeto is another competitor coming back to the ADKOM after competing in London, this past March. This time, he wants to be among the four semifinalists, which will allow him to fight for the title.
Isaac Doederlein (USA) – The runner-up at the ADKOM in March, Isaac now wants to take the trophy home. The American black belt has all the tools to make it. His guard passing game is world famous and usually puts his opponents in deep trouble.
Thiago Macedo (Brazil) – The Rodrigo Pinheiro factory of champions works non-stop and Thiago is yet another great talent coming out of it. Maybe he’s not that well known, but the ADKOM Tokyo will be the perfect opportunity to break it into the big league.
The Abu Dhabi King of Mats in Tokyo will be the 6th installment of the event and also be a part of the full weekend of Jiu-Jitsu at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour Tokyo, on July 27-28. The registration period for the ADGS Tokyo is coming to its final days. The final deadline is July 23. Sign up now. More info here. Follow the complete coverage on Instagram at @ajptour and @jiujitsuworldmag.
About the Abu Dhabi King of Mats
Launched during the 2018 ADWPJJC, the Abu Dhabi King of Mats introduced a new and very exciting format of competition. Athletes are divided in two groups and they fight each other inside their groups in rounds of two matches. At the end of the group stage, the two athletes with the best campaigns in each group advance to the semifinals to fight for a spot in the final. The event closes with the third place match and final. All matches are six minutes long, which guarantees non-stop action and a high rate of submissions.
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