Ali Monfaradi Success Story

Ali Monfaradi is an Jiu-jitsu athlete.

A short introduction to yourself?

I am a black belt professional Jiu-jitsu athlete, and the most decorated and accomplished JJ athlete from Bahrain and the Middle East. I am also a coach and business owner. I own and am the head coach of Elements Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Bahrain.

How did you develop your fondness for your sport and at what age did you start learning karate?

I started Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 12, and like every other young boy, my ambitions were rooted in movies like The Karate Kid, superheroes like Batman, and anime like Dragon Ball.

What is your style and what rank do you currently hold in?

I am a first-degree black belt under the legendary Fabio Gurgel, I am the first and only Bahraini/Middle Eastern to receive his black belt from Fabio himself.

Do you have a favorite Sensei?

As far as competitive athletes in my sport go if I had to choose 3: Rodolfo Viera, Roger Gracie, and Marcelo Garcia.

In other sports: Michael Jordan, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Goerges Saint Pierre.

How did you get into this position and how did your journey in this sport go?

I have always been driven by a desire to test myself, see my full potential, and upset expectations. I love to compete, and I feel a responsibility to see my full athletic potential, to set the standard for the generation to come.

Among 170+ other medals, I am a 6-time medalist at the World Professional Championship, including 2 at black belt, I am an IBJJF World Champion, multiple time Asian Champion and the 2019-2020 “Best Asian Athlete” under the AJP.

Do you take sports as a profession or is it just a hobby?

Profession.

What challenges have you faced in getting to where you are now? You can also share any injury story.

Many of my greatest competitive runs came despite terrible injuries, or perhaps because of them. I believe what sets me apart is perhaps my single-mindedness and determination to finish the job no matter what. I’ve had slipped discs, hernias, torn knee ligament, and a broken elbow, and none of them stopped me.

Do you have anything you want everyone to learn?

I want to do my best because I believe it is the most effective way for me to best represent my country. I want to win, because I want to show others that it’s possible, regardless of location, background, limitations, or challenges. But I think what fuels me most is an itch that doesn’t allow me to just sit back and watch somebody else grab my medal instead of me.

What tournament or match you have won are you most proud of and why?

Most recently, it would be making it to the final of the main event of the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. I was already the only Bahraini in history to get any medal in that event, but this was a whole other barrier and a personal dream of mine.

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