FUJAIRAH // Musclemen from across the region and beyond descended on the emirate on Friday night in an attempt to flex their way to a Dh10,000 bodybuilder prize.
More than 100 sculpted and bronzed bodies from seven countries – the UAE, Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Nepal and the Philippines – were present for the 14th edition of the Fujairah Classic Bodybuilding Championships, where men were competing in three weight categories, under 75kg, under 85kg and over 85kg.
Judging by the sizeable crowd in the hundreds, the sport seems to be taking off in the UAE and many visitors were impressed by the balance, power and physiques shown by participants.
“It is the first time I have attended a live event for this kind of sport,” said 22-year-old Emirati Jihad Hamad.
“I used to watch it on TV but it is totally different, the atmosphere is very energetic. I feel like going to the gym right now and start building my muscles.”
Filipino Edwin Marcia, 25, is a bodybuilding fan. He said: “The event is well organised. I came all the way from Al Ain to attend this championship and I wish that one day I would become one of the participants.
“I work as a fitness instructor and by working so hard on myself, I could be able to make my dream come true.”
The championship began with an impressive bodybuilding show by 12-year-old Hussain Khalil.
After that it was down to business as competitors in each category vied for a winner’s cheque of Dh10,000, with runners up getting Dh7,000 and third-placed finishers earning Dh5,000. The overall winner also got an extra Dh3,000.
Filipino participant Romio Arnado, who took second place in the under 75kg category, said: “This is my third competition here in UAE. I am so excited and happy to participate in such a great event.
“I like what I do because it is challenging and needs serious dedication. I’m 14 years in practice and still improving.”
He was beaten by Syrian Firas Tahan, while third place went to Iranian Mohammed Ali.
In the under 85kg category the gold medal went to Syrian Zouher Kamel, with Filipino Kareland claiming second place. Iranian Ahmad Jafer earned the third spot.
Finally, in the heavyweight over 85kg category, which witnessed fierce competition, Abdulhadi Mohammed, from Kuwait, eventually walked away with the gold medal, along with the Champion of the Champs award. Emirati Sulaiman Abdulrahman had to settle for second place, while Sulaiman Abdullah, of Kuwait, finished third.
The tournament was organised by the Department of Industry and Economics in collaboration with the UAE Bodybuilding Federation and the Asia Bodybuilding and Physique Federation. It was held at the Fujairah Tennis & Country Club with 12 judges making up the judges’ panel.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
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On sale: from January 2022
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
South Africa World Cup squad
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
