Having collected a third successive gold to help the UAE claim a fourth consecutive championship title at the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship, Shamma Al Kalbani is now ready to start a new chapter in the martial arts sport.
She is set to become the first Emirati female to feature in the recently established Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship, an event that brings together both elite Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and grapplers to the cage to compete in the two different competitions in a three-round contest.
The fourth edition of the championship will be held in Paris on May 18 with Al Kalbani, 21, pitted against the French No. 2 Jiu-Jitsu fighter Lina Grosset, 31.
“I’m delighted to win a third successive gold in the Asian Championship and help the UAE top the Jiu-Jitsu medals table for the fourth successive year,” Al Kalbani told The National.
“Every medal that I have won in any competition is a celebration for me and immensely important in helping my country to top the medals table. Tonight, I’m celebrating but tomorrow I’m back in the gym preparing for the ADXC.
“Obviously, it’s a new challenge and a new format inside the cage over three rounds. The surroundings are obviously new but my Jiu-Jitsu remains strong for this contest. I want to go out there and give my best to return with the belt, hopefully.”
In the Asian Championship, Al Kalbani got the better of Bashayer Al Matrooshi in an all-UAE final in the 63-kilogram weight.
She overcame Korean Joo Choi-hee and Azhar Salykova of Kazakhstan in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.
“For me, it’s important to keep winning every championship that I take part in and proudly stand on the podium on the background of the nation’s national anthem,” she said when asked of the competition.
“It’s a tough sport and every win must be earned. Sometimes when you step down a level, it may appear to be easy but it is not. I’m just glad it turned out to be an all-Emirati final.”
Al Kalbani made her debut in the continental championship in 2021, winning a bronze. Since then, she has won an Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022 and was the first Emirati to win a medal at the World Games when she bagged two bronze medals in the 63kg and open division in Birmingham, Alabama in July 2021.
“The success I have enjoyed is a combination of the passion I have for Jiu-Jitsu and the unstinting support and encouragement from my family and the federation,” she added.
“These achievements are a reflection of the hard work and obviously the support from our federation, without which I wouldn’t have reached this level and achieved all the successes I have enjoyed so far. I’m really proud to represent the UAE and bring more success for my country.”
Khaled Al Shehhi, who joins Al Kalbani in the ADXC, had to settle for silver in the men’s 62kg weight. He went down to Abdulmalik Al Murdhi in the final.
The UAE topped the medals table with six golds, seven silvers and five bronze. Korea finished second on three golds, one silver and five bronze, and Mongolia in third on 2-2-1. Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain returned with a gold each.
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Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
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Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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