Balqees Al Hahsemi during her final against Anne Custodio of the Philippines at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Photo: UAEJJF
Balqees Al Hahsemi during her final against Anne Custodio of the Philippines at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Photo: UAEJJF
Balqees Al Hahsemi during her final against Anne Custodio of the Philippines at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Photo: UAEJJF
Balqees Al Hahsemi during her final against Anne Custodio of the Philippines at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Photo: UAEJJF

Faisal Al Ketbi and Balqees Al Hashemi win gold for UAE in Jiu-Jitsu World Championship


Amith Passela
  • English
  • Arabic

Faisal Al Ketbi and Balqees Al Hashemi struck gold for the UAE on the opening day of the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in the Mongolia capital Ulan Bator on Tuesday.

Al Ketbi, the most decorated Emirati jiu-jitsu fighter, overcame Israel's Roy Dagan in the 94kg final and Al Hashemi defeated Anne Custodio of the Philippines to take the women’s 45kg gold.

Saeed Al Kubaisi had to settle for silver after losing to Portugal's Pedro Ramalho in the men’s 84kg while Aysha Al Shamsi bagged bronze, also in the women’s 45kg.

“We are still at the beginning of the competition, and I have full confidence in the ability of my teammates to achieve the desired results and increase the UAE’s medal count. We stand in full support of them,” Al Ketbi said.

Al Hashemi also expressed her delight in winning her first gold in a world championship. “I believe the training camp in Sweden played a crucial role in my preparation for the event, which ultimately led to this impressive result,” she said.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to coach Ramon Lemos, who constantly motivates the athletes to unleash their potential and perform at their best. I can’t describe the immense pride we feel when we see the UAE flag on the podium and hear the national anthem.”

Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, general secretary of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federations and head of the UAE national team delegation in the tournament heaped praise on the athletes for their achievements.

Faisal Al Ketbi receieves his gold medal at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Photo: UAEJJF
Faisal Al Ketbi receieves his gold medal at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Photo: UAEJJF

“The number of medals today is a reason for optimism in our pursuit of retaining the championship title,” he said.

“The male and female fighters delivered a wonderful performance, with Balqees standing out as she made history by becoming the first female UAE champion to win gold in the adults’ category in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

“These results showcase the Federation’s success strategy in uncovering talents and nurturing champions with the highest international standards.

“The team had a promising start in the tournament, and we are optimistic about our athletes’ ability to continue improving their performance in the upcoming competitions over the next two days.”

The championship will continue into the second day with men in the weight categories of 62kg, 69kg, and over 94kg, and for women, the weight categories will be 52kg and 57kg.

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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

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Price: From Dh1,700,000

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How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

The lowdown

Bohemian Rhapsody

Director: Bryan Singer

Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee

Rating: 3/5

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE

Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”

While you're here
Updated: July 18, 2023, 4:18 PM`