It was also an opportunity for the President of the UAE Judo Federation, HE Mohamed Thaaloob Alderei, to express his satisfaction at seeing this grand slam return each year to his country, "I have been the president of the federation since 2001 and in 2009 we organised our very first grand prix, which later became a grand slam. I want to thank everyone who has been involved with that success.
When we first welcomed the IJF, it was all very new for us, but we had a strategy to develop the sport and today we can see the result of that. We wanted to start with a big competition. With the full support of our country’s leaders and with the assistance of the IJF we are here today. I really love judo and all the values that go with it. It's a good example for all of us.
Today I can say that judo has become one of the top sports in the United Arab Emirates and it is an example for all the countries of the region. This strategy led us to our very first Olympic medal in Rio 2016. This was a great moment for our sport and for UAE. We are doing our utmost to be on the podium again in Paris, next year.
We want to be the number one country in the world. We know the way is hard but we are doing everything for that. I am proud of our team of athletes and organisers. It's a really good team. Our vision focuses on the top level but also on the youth. They are the future."
The future today was present in Abu Dhabi and it will be in action again tomorrow for the last day of competition. Stay connected! https://judotv.com/