Nuha Almarri has worked her body hard to get her to what she is today – a professional athlete.
“I was born and raised in Dubai, and sport was always a big part of my life,” she says. “From an early age, I did gymnastics, and then in high school, I switched to basketball and running.”
Almarri, 28, maintained that momentum during her college years, hitting the gym regularly and running. Then, in 2013, she found CrossFit.
“Since then, I have not missed a day [in the gym,] except for rest days,” Almarri says. She trains five days a week, and is currently preparing for her next challenge, the Talise Fitness Sandstorm race at Jumeirah Beach Hotel at the end of this month.
Besides this, Almarri recently caught the attention of Reebok Middle East, and was included in their team of athletes chosen to represent the brand at races and competitions around the UAE and GCC. She also has her heart set on competing at the CrossFit Regional Championships later this year.
“[CrossFit] gives me motivation, keeps me goal-orientated and focused, which helps me with other things in life,” she says. “When I see myself achieving goals [that] are hard work, it makes me feel good.”
Almarri holds a business-management degree from Dubai Women’s College and is a certified strength coach. She doesn’t have a specific coach of her own, instead opting to follow a personal programme and schedule.
“I wake up at 8am, have my breakfast, go to the gym at 10.30am, and do my first session from 11 until 12. I have lunch, and then go back again around 2pm for my second session, which is weightlifting,” she says. “My sisters work out with me almost every day. My mother is a big fan and supporter – she enjoys watching me compete, although sometimes she gets scared when I lift really heavy weights during competition.”
What’s needed to get to the top? “A lot of discipline, commitment, motivation and hard work.”
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you like to have with you?
My Reebok shoes – they perform well in the sand – a barbell and some weights, so I don’t waste time.
What sort of car do you drive?
I drive a small Suzuki. It has good performance and is easy to park. I am not a car fanatic – it suits my purposes.
What’s your favourite tourist attraction in the UAE?
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. I am so proud that Dubai has it here, and I am amazed by it every time I see it.
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Copenhagen is one of my favourites. It is a very vibrant city with great culture and food.
What do you do to relax?
I love hanging out with family and friends.
What five things do you never leave home without?
My gym bag, Reebok leggings and trainers, a towel, a wallet and my phone.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
My mum told me always be committed and do what you love.
What music do you currently have playing on repeat?
I love listening to heavy metal – it makes me want to compete and train harder and faster.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
I love Kcal – they offer healthy food and the quality is amazing.
What’s your favourite show to watch on TV?
I prefer documentaries, such as Wim Hof: Inside the Superhuman World of the Iceman.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Follow your dream, which I did.
mhealy@thenational.ae
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Stage result
1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 3:29.09
2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto-Soudal
3. Rudy Barbier (FRA) Israel Start-Up Nation
4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Luka Mezgec (SLO) Mitchelton-Scott
6. Alberto Dainese (ITA) Sunweb
7. Jakub Mareczko (ITA) CCC
8. Max Walscheid (GER) NTT
9. José Rojas (ESP) Movistar
10. Andrea Vendrame (ITA) Ag2r La Mondiale, all at same time
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
