The UAE jiu-jitsu national team topped the medals table at the Thailand Grand Prix as Faisal Al Ketbi and Shamma Al Kalbani both struck gold.
The national team secured nine golds, seven silvers and four bronzes in Bangkok, led by the country’s most decorated jiu-jitsu athlete Al Ketbi, and the leading Emirati female fighter Al Kalbani.
“These accomplishments are a direct result of the unwavering support from our wise leadership and the tireless efforts of our federation chairman Abdulmunam Al Hashemi,” Al Ketbi said of the team’s accomplishments in the two-day event that drew 205 athletes from 17 countries.
“Their guidance has propelled us towards success, allowing us to achieve championships and establish the UAE's global leadership in the sport.”
Al Ketbi overcame Abdullah Al Kubaisi in an all-Emirati final in the 94-kilogram weight.
Al Kalbani expressed her enthusiasm and motivation to continue striving for success after claiming the 63kg women’s final.
“The Thailand Grand Prix has undoubtedly played a significant role in enhancing my technical expertise and experience,” she said.
“I am deeply indebted and grateful to my coaches and teammates for their unwavering support and guidance. Their encouragement keeps me motivated to perform well, win medals, and represent our nation with pride at international events.”
Al Hashemi was all praise for the patronage of the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Khaled, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council.
“The remarkable performance of the UAE national team is a clear testament to the valuable initiatives implemented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and nurtured by His Highness Sheikh Khaled,” he said.
“Their dedicated efforts are now bearing fruit, as evidenced by the team's success. The team's ultimate ambition is to stand atop the podium and secure even more victories.
“The Thailand Grand Prix was a unique opportunity to measure the development in the performance of athletes before participating in the World Championships in Mongolia in July and the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September.”
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, general secretary of the UAEJJF, added: “Of the 24 athletes from the national team, 20 have won medals. These numbers reflect the importance of achievement.
“This year, the team has already achieved more than 50 medals during the first five months, starting with the Asian Championship in Bangkok, followed by the Paris Grand Prix and now the Thailand Grand Prix.
“We have six more international events remaining in the season, including the Asian Games and World Championships, and I can’t wait to see the UAE team shine brightly in those championships.”
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
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'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
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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
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
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Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Read more about the coronavirus
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- Bhiwadi, India
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- Delhi, India
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