Muscat – Abdullah bin Khamis al Farsi, a 29-year-old athlete from the wilayat of Sur in South Sharqiyah, won silver medal at the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held from November 1 to 11. 

In an interview with Muscat Daily, Farsi dedicated his victory to Oman on the occasion of the 53rd National Day, encouraging the youth of Oman to embrace this sport.

The championship, a global event attracting the elite in Jiu-Jitsu, witnessed participation of over 6,000 athletes representing 107 countries, including the US, Italy, France, Spain and Russia. 

Farsi secured second place in the 62kg light featherweight category professional (brown belt),  amidst fierce competition.

Farsi spoke about the challenges he faced, including the financial burden associated with the sport. He described his journey to the finals as one requiring immense concentration and unwavering determination. To prepare for the championship, Farsi underwent rigorous training, dedicating five hours daily to hone his skills.

He expressed a strong desire to continue representing Oman in international tournaments and take the Omani flag to global arenas. 

Farsi extended his gratitude to those who supported him during his training, and emphasised the need for financial backing to sustain participation in international events.

Here he pointed out that about 16 Omani players participated in the tournament, but they did not achieve any good results due to the lack of financial support. 

He believes that finding a sponsor would not only provide much-needed financial support but also offer promotional opportunities for the sponsor at the international stage where Omani athletes compete. 

He also expressed his eagerness to establish an official committee for the sport in Oman, noting, “Oman is one of the few countries that doesn’t have a committee or federation for the sport.”