After making its debut at the Tokyo Olympics and now heading to the 2024 Paris Games, skateboarding has gone from a youthful pursuit to a mainstream sport.
That was evident during the World Skateboarding Tour (WST) – Dubai Street 2024 at the Dubai Harbour which witnessed a week of action-packed skateboarding for men and women.
The final night of the event in Dubai turned out to be a double delight for Japan, with Kairi Netsuke, 20, winning the men’s Street Pro Tour Stop and Liz Akama, 15, winning the women’s division.
Gustavo Ribeiro of Portugal and Sora Shirai of Japan completed the men’s podium while Australia’s Chloe Covell and Japan’s Coco Yoshizawa took second and third on the women’s podium.
“Skateboarding is popular among kids in Japan but now it’s fiercely competitive with an Olympic medal at stake,” Netsuke, speaking through a translator, told The National after his win following the finals that concluded on Sunday.
“This is a sport you are not guaranteed a win, however good you may be. One mistake can spoil your chances, and this is very evident when you look at the results. This is why skateboarding is such an exciting sport for both athletes and spectators.
“I was the lucky one tonight. I’m so happy with this result and my joy was doubled when Liz [Akama] won the women’s final that followed, to complete the double for Japan.”
Akama spent a few anxious moments watching as Covell completed her final trick.
Covell, 14, led the pack with a couple of spectacular runs. She raced to the top of the eight finalists on her first run and produced a superb score of 93.49 to consolidate her lead.
However, she struggled during the trick section, landing only two of her attempts, which gave Akama the upper hand.
The Japanese teenager launched into her final trick – a frontside 270 lipslide – to edge ahead of Covell.
Covell needed to score at least 87.22 on her final attempt but fell on her last trick, handing Akama victory.
“I ran out of things to do for the last trick, so I just gave it a go and happened to land it,” Akama said.
“When I spent time recovering from my injury last year I was upset because everybody improved themselves a lot. This result made me relieved but I know I have to work harder.”
Covell was gracious in defeat.
“It’s pretty cool I got second place, which means I got more qualifying points,” she said.
“I guess I just keep stacking up points. So hopefully I can qualify for the Olympics. I’ll know where I stand exactly when the latest points are announced.
“I'm in a pretty good spot and I can qualify for Paris. So, we’ll just wait and see. The Olympics has been one of my biggest dreams for ages. If I get to go, it'll be a dream come true.”
Covell’s journey in skateboarding began when she was only six years old.
“I was just watching TV with dad one time, and the X Games came on and I saw Nyjah Huston skating,” she added. Huston is considered one of greats of the sport.
“I'm like, Óh, that looks pretty fun. I want to be like that.' So, I got a skateboard, did lessons and progressed.
“It started as fun and now I’m here trying to qualify for an Olympics. I feel it’s really good when kids get into sports and have an opportunity for competing in Olympics, which is amazing.”
The WST is part of the ‘Road to Paris’ for park and street skateboarders looking to compete at the Olympics. Dubai was an important stopover in that journey.
The event, hosted by World Skate and Arada, was the last chance for skaters to accumulate points towards Olympic World Skate Ranking before the cut for the Olympic Qualifying Series – the second phase of qualification.
A total of 238 athletes from 63 countries took part in the event in Dubai.
The Olympic Qualifying Series is a two-part competition series that will take place in Shanghai (May 16-19) and Budapest (June 20-23) and will determine the final field for Paris 2024.
Ray Tinston, events director at Arada, said: “These last two weeks have been incredible and we’re proud to have hosted a spectacle that has set a new benchmark for future events to emulate.
“Whether on social media or here in person, how positively the skaters and audiences have felt about the Park and Street competitions has been clear for all to see.
“The UAE today is home to a really passionate and engaged skateboarding community and, in many ways, is becoming a centre of excellence for skateboarding regionally and globally. People have really recognised this.”
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
War
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Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
