NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka // Faisal Al Ketbi, the Emirati jiu-jitsu star, says the inaugural Asian Beach Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Sri Lanka also doubles as a dress rehearsal for all the participating nations at the Fifth Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam, from September 24 to October 3.
The UAE are among 14 nations in the championship which has 14 gold medals up for grabs for both men and women from Friday through Sunday at the Jetwing Sea Hotel in the popular coastal town frequented by tourists 40 kilometres from Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital.
The championship concludes with a No-Gi (without the traditional kimono) event on Sunday.
“It is not only a good platform for us to prepare but also for all those who travel to Vietnam,” Al Ketbi said of the championship in Sri Lanka.
More UAE Jiu-jitsu
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The Emirati believes the UAE as one of the best in the continent and expects to return with a rich haul of medals from their 20-member squad.
“I believe we are one of the leading players in terms of development and promoting jiu-jitsu in the continent,” Al Ketbi said. “We have travelled with a mixture of players both experienced and youngsters as two are eligible to compete in one weight division.
“Actually we have two squads in training for competitions. After this event the two squads will continue to train in Abu Dhabi, one for the Asian Beach Games in Vietnam and the other for the Grand Slam Los Angeles, both in September.”
Khalifa Nasarati, 17, is one of the youngsters in the squad along with Omar Mohammed, 16, and he thinks the difference for him, perhaps, would be the strength and power.
“I think I can match the skills,” he said. “This is my second time in an adult competition after the Madrid Open in Spain last month, but these are definitely the learning curve and the way forward.”
Hamdan Al Bloushi, the Emirati wrestling international turned jiu-jitsu fighter, added: “Here we get a chance to compete against opponents whom we are likely to meet again in Vietnam.
“Even if we lose, we have the opportunity to work on the weaker areas for a rematch. It will be the same for the others. So everyone benefits from this competition.”
The UAE’s Brazilian coach Roberto Lima thinks the competition provides an opportunity to test the levels of both his wards and their opponents.
“Our final test will be Vietnam but of course we can certainly get an idea on the strength of our squad,” he said.
“Some are here to gain experience but we also have an eye for winning medals which is important for us.”
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Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
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Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
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MATCH INFO
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017