This year’s Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is one Ramona Pascual is unlikely to forget. Making her competition debut, the 26-year-old claimed a double gold, triumphing in the white 75kg on Friday before winning the open weight division on Saturday.

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And among the opponents she faced was Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who she defeated in the first-round of the open weight. For Pascual, facing the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, came as a surprise.

“I had no idea I was going to compete against her when I arrived at the arena,” said the Filipino. “Our bout was moved from the original mat to the main one so that it could be shown on the big screen.

“At first, it was a bit nerve-wracking to be facing her and it was a very hard match. She (Sheikha Maitha) is a tough opponent and certainly made things difficult for me.

“I did get a bit nervous. She is a lot bigger and that’s a big advantage and we both had similar strategies. I only won by two points so it wasn’t much and it was quite close. It’s one that I won’t want to forget anytime soon.”

The Hong Kong based jiu-jitsu fighter has plans to return next year to defend her titles.

“For sure I want to come back. Most definitely. This is a big tournament for me and it was a big honour to come to the Middle East and win two golds in a world competition.”

UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation chairman Abdulmunem Al Hashemi declared it a big success and said a “new standard had been set”.