A total of 69 differently abled para jiu-jitsu athletes from Brazil alone will compete at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro this weekend. 

As the UAEJJF continue their push to increase opportunities for para athletes, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro will feature para jiu-jitsu competitors from around the country. 

Para jiu-jitsu athletes at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in Tokyo. Photo: Hywel Teague / FloGrappling

Leading the way is GF Team black belt Jorge Nakamura, who is tied for first in the World Para Jiu-Jitsu Ranking with 440 points. 

The Brazilian para jiu-jitsu squad in particular has been very active, sending teams to the Grad Slam events in Tokyo and Los Angeles. Altogether, Brazilians hold the top seven places in the World Para Jiu-Jitsu Ranking. 

In the top 25 World Para Jiu-Jitsu Ranking, Brazil currently leads with 12 athletes. The USA has eight ranked para athletes, and Japan has two. Meanwhile, Costa Rica, UAE, and Argentina all have one. 

To see the full World Para Jiu-Jitsu Ranking, visit here. 

Watch this behind-the-scenes video of a para jiu-jitsu athlete from the Grand Slam Los Angeles:

Scroll down to see the list of Brazilian para athlete who have signed up to compete at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rio.