The UAE’s top-ranked Faisal Al Ketbi is not ruling out the possibility of winning gold as he gears up for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship  in the black belt division for the first time.

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The Emirati has enjoyed much success in the tournament, triumphing in blue and brown belts.

Last year he defeated American Hans Borchardt to claim his fifth gold and it was that success that earned him the black belt in May 2014.

And less than a year since making the move, Al Ketbi is relishing the opportunity of taking on the world’s best at the IPIC Arena from April 23 to 25.

“I have been training hard and feel very confident,” said the double Asian Beach Games gold medallist, who will compete in the Under-95kg category in Abu Dhabi.

“I expect to do well in this competition because my training has gone on very well.

“I want to gain a lot of experience and I would love to win the gold medal and that is a challenge in itself which I’m ready for.”

He will enter the tournament in confident mood having won gold in a tournament in Brazil, where eight other Emiratis took part in a six-week training camp. 

And Al Ketbi acknowledges that the Brazilians will pose the biggest threat to his gold medal ambitions and is therefore training seven hours a day five times a week.

“Working on my power is crucial and that is what I’m working on as people are very strong these days. 

“Black belt fighters have a lot of different ways to train, so I’m working on a combination of power and strength techniques,” explained Al Ketbi.