In a scene from the 2011 World Championship, Kyra Gracie attacks from back control. GRACIEMAG archive photo.
Between the 12th and the 14th of April, the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup of Abu Dhabi will be the center of the United Arab Emirates’ attention. On the roster for the tournament is Kyra Gracie, a five-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion who has been training hard for her freshman appearance in the event.
“This is the third time women compete at the championship, and my first time. The level of competition is again really high; but I’m training hard in London and expect the best,” said the Gracie, who will be in the under-63kg division, the lightest one.
In preparing for the WPJJ, this March Kyra took a trip to England, where she’s going through the final stretch of training with her cousin Roger Gracie. “During this final stage in training we’re focusing on improving my level of technique, and training with an athlete like Roger gets me prepared and confident, no matter what the championship,” she affirmed to GRACIEMAG.com.
The main opposition standing in between Kyra and the gold will be the likes of Luanna Alzuguir, Michelle Nicolini, Bia Mesquita, Mackenzie Dern, Marina Ribeiro and Angélica Galvão, among other female competitors from all corners of the planet.
To keep up to date on the Abu Dhabi WPJJC, stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com.
