Abdel Rahman Al Masatfa has won Jordan’s third ever Olympic medal after narrowly losing the semi-final of the karate kumite 67kg competition against Eray Samdan of Turkey to claim bronze at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo.
At just 2-0 it was the lowest scoring competition for either karateka throughout the day, as both fighters were tentative from the start.
Eventually, after some encouragement from the referee, the two engaged, the first point being awarded over half way through the three minutes of the fight. Samdan attacked as As Al Masatfa lent back for a hook kick, he was taken down and struck by the Turk, the first Yuko.
With time running out, the 25-year-old from Amman went on the front foot, creating a tense final half. Both semi-finalists failed to land attacking and counter-attacking advances.
This was until, with just 20 seconds remaining, after a flurry of attacks, the Jordanian lent in to deliver a body kick, it was blocked, and in a flash Samdan landed a reverse punch to the face of Al Masatfa. One more Yuko, 2-0.
Al Masatfa fought on to the end, but could not land the vital blows to register a score. 2-0 it stayed.
The 2-0 win sent Samdan into the final against Frenchman Steven da Costa, who had beaten Kazakhstan’s Darkhan Assadilov 5-3 in the earlier semifinal.
Da Costa went on to win gold by beating Samdan 5-0 in the final.
Al-Masatfa and Assadilov were awarded their medals and a place on a podium without a bronze medal match that other Olympic competitions require.
Al Masatfa claimed the first ever Olympic bronze for Jordan, and the second medal of the games, adding to the silver won by Saleh Elsharabaty last week in taekwondo.
Jordan’s only previous medal was also in Taekwondo, when Ahmad Abu-Ghaush took the men’s 68kg title in Rio 2016.
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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