Zayed Al Katheeri is on course to defend his black belt 56-kilogram weight gold medal in the 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Friday.
The Emirati, 23, takes on Brazilian Yuri Hendrex after victories over Armenian Gevorg Arutyunyan and Samat Aitpanbet of Kazakhstan, both by points, on Thursday.
Al Katheeri, the first Emirati to win a title in the black belt division at last year's World Pro, said: “I am thrilled to secure the wins and advance to the finals.
“It’s a significant day for me, as I am determined to defend my title from last year. I’ve prepared extensively and believe I can give my best performance to secure victory.”
Joining him in Friday’s final is teammate and Asian Games gold medallist Khaled Al Shehi who faces Brazilian Meyran Alves in the 62kg.
Al Shehi overcame Georgian Giorgi Razmadze, Mexican Mario Navarrete and fellow Emirati Sultan Al Owais to reach his first final in the black belt division.
“It was a tough day today, to be honest, with three challenging fights, but I’m grateful that I made it,” Al Shehi said.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to the final fight, fully aware that it won’t be an easy path. I am fully prepared to face any challenge that comes my way and make everyone proud.”
UAE athletes picked up six medals in Thursday's action.
Asma Al Hosani won gold in the women's purple belt 55kg while Hessa Al Shamsi secured bronze in the same division.
Omar Ali Al Suwaidi also won gold in the men's brown belt 56kg weight while Mohammed Al Suwaidi took silver in the brown belt 69kg. Saeed Al Ketbi bagged bronze in the purple belt 85kg, and Mohammed Saeed Al Ketbi secured silver in the purple belt 56kg.
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The view from The National
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Pakistan T20 series squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
