The Brazilian, 23, seems to be closing on her goals with another splendid performance in her second local competition, winning a double gold at the Abu Dhabi Open last night at the FGB Arena at the Zayed Sports City.
Santos won both the finals from her compatriot Marina Ribeiro in the 65-kilogram weight class and the Open division to follow up on her double gold in Al Ain last October.
“It is a real great feeling to win a double gold second time in two local competitions,” she said after winning both finals 4-0, earned through a mounted lock.
“The fights are never easy. I scored early and managed to preserve the lead until the end. Both fights were close, and it panned out to be identical against the same opponent.”
Santos travelled from Brazil for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championships in the past three years and was offered a job as an instructor with Palms Sports, the technical arm of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), last year.
She won bronze medals in her weight division in the first two visits to the capital but failed to get into the medal round last year.
“Hopefully I can do it this time,” said Santos. “The two biggest objectives for me in the sport are to win gold at Abu Dhabi and California.
“I am training with those objectives in mind. I am happy with my work and current form. Obviously the competition at the world championships will be much harder, but I am ready for the challenge.”
The Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship is slated for April and the World Championships in California in July.
The men’s black-belt division was dominated by Brazilians, with Marcos Paulo Costa taking the gold in the Open category from compatriot Celso Junior, the winner of the 95kg-plus category.
Costa had to settle for the bronze in his 85kg weight class behind Rene Azevedo, who got the better of the UAE national team coach Maico Reiter in the final. Nilson Braga bagged the gold in the 95kg with victory over Kalil Pinto.
Another potential star in the making is Anatolii Smyrskyi, the Dubai-based Ukrainian who works as a personal trainer.
He returned with four gold medals in two days of work, following up his double gold in the No Gi competition with two more in his 95kg weight and the Open division.
Smyrskyi, 30, transferred his judo experience to jiu-jitsu and, combined with his fitness regime, has in 10 months won a remarkable seven golds, three silvers and two bronze medals in four competitions in Dubai, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.
“I’m looking forward to the Abu Dhabi World Pro,” he said. “The success I have had is a combination of the technique and fitness.
“I have been practising judo back home in Ukraine since I was 11, and it has helped me in my new-found passion – jiu-jitsu.”
Ahmed Mohammed Al Dhaheri won the UAE’s solitary gold from the 47 that were up for grabs.
The Emirati overcame Jordanian Abdelrahman Aliess in the white belt 85kg final for the hosts to finish on one gold, six silver and eight bronze.
The 18-member Japanese contingent that arrived on the invitation of the UAEJJF returned with four golds, four silvers and three bronze medals.
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SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
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US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
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Investment: $250 million
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2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
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2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
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2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
