Jiu-jitsu runs in the blood of Vrhovec family

55-year-old Anton Vrhovec won two titles in January at the European Open Championships in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Portugal, in the middle as well as in the absolute category. Years of otherwise amateur training appeared to have paid off because he continued his run at this extremely demanding and one of the most popular martial arts and won two new medals. Supremacy in the middleweight was also confirmed on the world stage as he subdued the whole competition.

 

But his appearances in the United Arab Emirates, which in recent years invested immense amounts of money in this sport, were not yet complete as Vrhovec appeared in the absolute category, where there are no restrictions in kilograms of the competitors. He had to admit to the superiority of Russian Sambo champion and Judo black belt in the final. Vrhovec controled the match for the majority of it but had to settle for silver as richer experience of his opponent prevailed at the end.

 

However, the old saying "the apple does not fall far from the tree" is as true as it gets and was proven by his son, Rok. Rok competed in the 88 kg category in Abu Dhabi and, just as his father, won a precious medal. Truly impressive story of the Vrhovec family where both father and son are merely amateur jiu-jitsu practicioners. But the heart can be crucial at the martial arts and it can cover for many flaws that small amount of training brings. Courage is something that is adorned with both and brings them success and that was shown in the rich Abu Dhabi where the prize fund in over four hundred thousand dollars.

 

Abu Dhabi has in recent years become a true center of jiu-jitsu under the auspices of Shaikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Jiu-jitsu is becoming a part of everyday life in the United Arab Emirates. As it is for the Vrhovec family where father and son personify a healthy mind in a healthy body and can be an example that it is never to late to succeed in sport as well as in life.