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Sultan Al Neyadi just became the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Into space after being part of the UAE Astronaut Programme. He has just become one of two men on board the UAE’s first long-duration space mission, where he will spend six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He was one of 4,022 candidates who initially applied to the program and worked his way up to the final stage where he and one other were selected for the mission. Before becoming an astronaut, Al Neyadi was an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training for seven years so far.
UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi posted interview Before he hits the space, he explains the physical benefits his love of BJJ has given him:
“I have been training in Jiu-Jitsu for almost seven years and the benefits of the sport are clearly visible during our training. I am flexible, have good physical strength and can concentrate for long periods of time.”
It’s not just about the physical benefits, though, as Al Neyadi also explained that some of his experiences on the mat over the years have felt similar to his training as an astronaut:
“I have a load on my chest that is eight times my body weight, which is very similar to passages in jiu jitsu where the opponent has side control or is in a riding position.”
“During the centrifuge test, it felt very similar to struggling in a jiu jitsu competition, but my training helped me get through it and I managed two rounds of the centrifuge test.”
It seems that Sultan Al Neyadi might not be the only BJJ practitioner in space, as he has been bringing the sport to the rest of the UAE team, but apparently astronauts might not be the easiest sparring partners:
“During the first fit check of my Sokol spacesuit in Baikonur, I had the opportunity to test my jiu-jitsu skills by trying to submit an astronaut. It didn’t work because these guys really don’t have necks, and Their joints are very flexible.”
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