Shamma Al Kalbani continues to break new ground as the leading light of women's jiu-jitsu in the UAE.
Al Kalbani became the first Emirati female to win a medal at the World Games when she collected bronzes in the 63-kilogram weight class and the open category in Birmingham, Alabama, in July 2022.
She is now set to become the first Emirati female to feature in the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC) when the fourth edition of the competition is hosted outside of the UAE for the first time, in Paris later this month.
The May 18 tournament in the French capital features both jiu-jitsu and grappling, with organisers promising a card packed with European talent going up against some of the best athletes from the rest of the world, all under one dynamic set of rules inside the cage.
Al Kalbani, 21, says she will be delighted to fly the flag for the UAE at the event, but before she digs out her passport, she is determined to defend her Asian Championship title at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
“I’m really honoured to be the first Emirati female to feature in this exciting ADXC competition," Al Kalbani told The National. "It's being held for the first time outside the UAE and [I am] obviously looking forward for this new challenge of competing in the cage across three rounds.
“I have never been inside a cage until now and never expected such a turn of events, but when it comes to jiu-jitsu I’m ready for any challenge.”
Bouts at ADXC are contested across three three-minute rounds inside the cage, whereas a traditional jiu-jitsu contest is a single five-minute round on the mat.
“I’ll surely have a few spins inside the cage before heading to Paris. It is a new experience but I believe my jiu-jitsu is good enough to overcome the challenges that I may face,” added Al Kalbani, who has been drawn against Lina Grosset, who is 10 years her senior and ranked No 2 in France.
“In the ADXC, there is a chance to re-energise and come back for the second and third rounds, whereas in the traditional format you may get tired towards the end. So, let’s see how it works out for me.
“But having said that, my focus right now has entirely been on readying for the Asian Championship. I would like to think it’s the ideal platform for my preparation for the ADXC as well.
“We have been training for the continental championship three days a week for the past month. I feel I’m in good shape to aim at a third gold in this championship.”
Al Kalbani won bronze in her first appearance in the continental championship in 2021 and has since followed up with golds in the last two years. She’s also an Asian Games gold medallist from Hangzhou in 2022.
She has won many awards and titles in jiu-jitsu but the Asian Games gong remains right on top.
“For me, the Asian Games is the most prestigious sporting event after the Olympics,” she added. “I wish jiu-jitsu will be in the Olympics and to compete in this world sporting spectacle would be another dream realised.”
Joining Al Kalbani in the ADXC is her national jiu-jitsu team colleague and fellow Asian Games gold medallist Khaled Al Shehhi.
Al Shehhi will have a point to prove when he meets Brazilian Leonardo Mario after losing to him in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship bantamweight final last November.
“The ADXC is a new concept and it’s already popular and obviously I’m excited to experience this contest,” Al Shehhi said.
“I have a score to settle with Leonardo and that has motivated me more. It will be our second meeting in six months and of course in a different format, although it’s jiu-jitsu.”
Al Shehhi, 20, is also competing in the Asian Championship and believes the event is an ideal lead-up for his debut in the ADXC.
“As part of the national team we train throughout the year and I’m always ready for the competitions,” Al Shehhi said. “Obviously my focus is on my next fight and it will be great to go into the ADXC with a win in the continental championship."
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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
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Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
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RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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