Nuha Almarri has worked her body hard to get her to what she is today – a professional athlete.
“I was born and raised in Dubai, and sport was always a big part of my life,” she says. “From an early age, I did gymnastics, and then in high school, I switched to basketball and running.”
Almarri, 28, maintained that momentum during her college years, hitting the gym regularly and running. Then, in 2013, she found CrossFit.
“Since then, I have not missed a day [in the gym,] except for rest days,” Almarri says. She trains five days a week, and is currently preparing for her next challenge, the Talise Fitness Sandstorm race at Jumeirah Beach Hotel at the end of this month.
Besides this, Almarri recently caught the attention of Reebok Middle East, and was included in their team of athletes chosen to represent the brand at races and competitions around the UAE and GCC. She also has her heart set on competing at the CrossFit Regional Championships later this year.
“[CrossFit] gives me motivation, keeps me goal-orientated and focused, which helps me with other things in life,” she says. “When I see myself achieving goals [that] are hard work, it makes me feel good.”
Almarri holds a business-management degree from Dubai Women’s College and is a certified strength coach. She doesn’t have a specific coach of her own, instead opting to follow a personal programme and schedule.
“I wake up at 8am, have my breakfast, go to the gym at 10.30am, and do my first session from 11 until 12. I have lunch, and then go back again around 2pm for my second session, which is weightlifting,” she says. “My sisters work out with me almost every day. My mother is a big fan and supporter – she enjoys watching me compete, although sometimes she gets scared when I lift really heavy weights during competition.”
What’s needed to get to the top? “A lot of discipline, commitment, motivation and hard work.”
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you like to have with you?
My Reebok shoes – they perform well in the sand – a barbell and some weights, so I don’t waste time.
What sort of car do you drive?
I drive a small Suzuki. It has good performance and is easy to park. I am not a car fanatic – it suits my purposes.
What’s your favourite tourist attraction in the UAE?
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. I am so proud that Dubai has it here, and I am amazed by it every time I see it.
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Copenhagen is one of my favourites. It is a very vibrant city with great culture and food.
What do you do to relax?
I love hanging out with family and friends.
What five things do you never leave home without?
My gym bag, Reebok leggings and trainers, a towel, a wallet and my phone.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
My mum told me always be committed and do what you love.
What music do you currently have playing on repeat?
I love listening to heavy metal – it makes me want to compete and train harder and faster.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
I love Kcal – they offer healthy food and the quality is amazing.
What’s your favourite show to watch on TV?
I prefer documentaries, such as Wim Hof: Inside the Superhuman World of the Iceman.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Follow your dream, which I did.
mhealy@thenational.ae
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Mountain%20Boy
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
