Emirati swimmer Yousuf Al Matrooshi is ready for the Tokyo Olympics, the entry to which is an achievement in itself for the teenager.
Having received a wildcard to compete in the 100-metre freestyle, Al Matrooshi is relishing the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s elite at the Games from July 23 to August 8.
The event was pushed back by a year following the coronavirus outbreak and it certainly is going to be an exceptional Olympics due to the safety protocols and absence of spectators.
“I’m super excited to get this opportunity, to be at the Olympics representing my country in the greatest sporting spectacle in the world,” Al Matrooshi told The National.
“I am fortunate to receive the wildcard. So I am already in a good position and I want to go out there and do my best. This obviously is a great platform as I have plans to take this experience forward.”
Al Matrooshi, 18, was also handed a wildcard to compete in the 100m freestyle at the Fina World Championships (short course) at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island later this year from December 15-21.
“The Olympics is an experience that I can take forward to the Worlds and compete in front of my people, family and friends,” he said.
“In Tokyo, I will try to do my best. My goal there would be to try and qualify to the next round, and then take it forward from there. It would be great if I can make it to the semi-finals, hopefully.”
Al Matrooshi was nine when he enrolled at Al Wasl Club in Dubai for his first swimming lessons.
“Actually I accompanied my mother to the club to enrol for football,” he said. “I still remember I wore a Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United shirt and was thrilled that I was going to play football.
“However, the technical committee at the club, after assessing my physique, advised my mother to try me in swimming. I was lean and tall even at that time.
“My mother was a bit adamant but the officials convinced her somehow, so she reluctantly agreed. I enjoyed my first few weeks in the pool and here I am now.
“Nine years on from that time, here I am preparing for the Olympics and the Worlds. There have been ups and downs in my journey but I’m very optimistic about the future, Insha Allah.”
It would be great if I can make it to the semi-finals, hopefully
Al Matrooshi
Al Matrooshi has just completed high school and has applied to universities in the United States to pursue a degree in computer science and also continue with high performance training in swimming.
“I have done well in academics all through and carried myself well outside the pool. I am always blessed. Alhamdulillah,” he said.
“I completed high school four weeks ago and am hoping to join a university in America to continue my studies and my swimming. While pursuing swimming, I want to do my major in computer science in the US.”
Al Matrooshi first came under the spotlight when he broke the national age group record in 100m butterfly that stood for over 23 years.
“That’s the time I thought I had a future in swimming,” he said. “I continued with my training with the hope of achieving something in the sport, and now I’m here talking about the Olympics and the Fina Worlds.”
A gold medal in 100m freestyle at the Gulf Championship in Kuwait in 2019 remains Al Matrooshi’s best result so far. He has also competed at the Asian Age Group Championships in Uzbekistan in 2017, Fina World Junior Swimming Championships in Hungary and the Arab Championships in Morocco, both in 2019, and the Egyptian National Championships this April.
“Every international competition has been an experience for me and I’m very fortunate to be at the Olympics followed by the Fina Worlds. This really is beyond my imaginations,” Al Matrooshi said.
“The Olympics and the Worlds are the dreams of any athlete and I feel I’m blessed to participate at both these events. My focus has now been only the Olympics from the time I was told of the wildcards.”
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MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
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Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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The view from The National
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
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- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
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Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
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Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
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Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
WWE Super ShowDown results
Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title
Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beats Triple H
Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley
Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal
The Undertaker beat Goldberg
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
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Diablo%20IV
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