Young Emirati jiu-jitsu star Omar Al Fadhli believes mental preparation will be the biggest challenge for the national team when they return to action later this year in the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) resumed training with a closed door high performance camp at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi last month following three months of inactivity following the coronavirus pandemic.
The camp was partly to prepare for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (World Pro) rescheduled for November.
Al Fadhli said getting back into shape physically should not be an issue for high-performance athletes, but overcoming the psychological toll of the coronavirus will "test us mentally" and require even more dedication.
He said: “Physically you can just resume your training and get into good shape in three months because that is science. But fighters have to be mentally stronger and believe in themselves.
“It is not an ideal situation that we are in but when fighters come back they need to have a stronger mindset and determination.
“They have to work extra hard to regain their levels. When I come back, I am going to double or triple my efforts. I am going to give 200 per cent.
“Mental strength is key, physical levels can be regained, but your determination and focus will need to be at its strongest.”
Al Fadhli, 19, enjoyed his best season in 2019, winning gold medals in the youth and adult categories at the Jiu-Jitsu International Union's (JJIF) World Championship and the World Pro in Abu Dhabi. He rounded his year off in style with victory at the Munich Open in Germany.
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Omar Al Fahdli wins double gold at JJIF Worlds
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His feats were even more impressive considering the teenager had to overcome a broken arm.
“For me, 2020 is almost over but 2019 was one of the best years of my life,” he said.
“I learnt a lot about myself. I suffered a broken arm and the injury taught me a lot and tested my maturity, and taught me never to give up.
“Physically, I was virtually destroyed after the injury. I had to work on my mental strength and my return to competition proved successful.”
Al Fadhli's success at the JJIF Worlds was the second year in succession he won gold medals at both youth and adult level. “A personal milestone for me,” he said.
“I have kind of put my legacy there on the Worlds. It was hard for me, the pressure to keep up my performances in both categories but glad to accomplish that feat.
“When I was young, it was a tough thing to imagine winning a medal at even one of those events. Maybe I thought I could win the youth but the seniors was always something that I thought was very hard to achieve.
“But I did it, thank god, with all that hard work. I am confident that I have what it takes to repeat the double for a third year in a row if provided with the opportunity.”
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Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
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The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
