• Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro with a participant in the world's largest jiu-jitsu training session at the Brazil pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
    Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro with a participant in the world's largest jiu-jitsu training session at the Brazil pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
  • The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation set the record by co-ordinating sessions involving 2,700 athletes across 14 sites. EPA
    The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation set the record by co-ordinating sessions involving 2,700 athletes across 14 sites. EPA
  • Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attends the session at the Expo alongside Mr Bolsonaro. EPA
    Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attends the session at the Expo alongside Mr Bolsonaro. EPA
  • Mr Bolsonaro is greeted by a participant at the Brazil pavilion. AFP
    Mr Bolsonaro is greeted by a participant at the Brazil pavilion. AFP
  • The record involved sessions held at sites such as the Expo's Jubilee Park, as well as others in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. AFP
    The record involved sessions held at sites such as the Expo's Jubilee Park, as well as others in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. AFP
  • Sheikh Nahyan and Mr Bolsonaro join participants at the Brazil pavilion. AFP
    Sheikh Nahyan and Mr Bolsonaro join participants at the Brazil pavilion. AFP

UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation attempts record for the world's largest training session


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has attempted a new Guinness World Record for the largest Jiu-Jitsu training session, involving 2,700 people.

The event was hosted simultaneously at 14 different sites across the country, including the Brazil pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro made a surprise visit to watch the session at his country's pavilion, with the event taking place on Brazil’s Republic Day.

Mr Bolsonaro met Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Fernando Igreja, Brazil's ambassador to the UAE, and took selfies with fans.

Mr Bolsonaro said the 13th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, taking place from November 17 to 19, “showcases the evolution of the sport in the UAE, and the growth of Jiu-Jitsu across the world".

He said the world record attempt “contributes to the consolidation of relations between the people of UAE and Brazil and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest”.

Other training sessions for the Guinness World Record bid were staged at nine schools in Abu Dhabi and four in Al Ain.

Mohammed Al Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the group was proud to host the world record attempt.

“The session at Expo 2020 Dubai was the highlight, as we hosted it in the Brazil pavilion to coincide with the country’s Republic Day," he said.

“In addition, we chose to organise the classes in 13 schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, based on our belief in the importance of promoting the sport among youth, who constitute the most important source of Jiu-Jitsu talent in the UAE."

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is considered the UAE’s unofficial national sport. It is taught as part of the curriculum in more than 100 UAE schools and practised by the Armed Forces.

Abu Dhabi regularly hosts major jiu-jitsu tournaments.

The National photo project

Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).

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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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FIXTURES

Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)

Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
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Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
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Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)

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What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

Updated: November 17, 2021, 5:21 AM