Month: August 2024

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi gave himself the ideal opportunity to reclaim the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship title race today by securing pole position for the Grand Prix of Italy.

Making it a perfect day for Team Abu Dhabi, Mansoor Al Mansoori qualified in second position after winning the Q1 and Q2 sessions, and also leading the six-boat Q3 shoot-out before being edged out by his teammate.

Defending F2 world champion Al Qemzi, bidding to become the first driver to win the crown five times, goes into tomorrow’s Grand Prix just four points adrift of Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko, who will start down in fifth place.

Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, winner of the previous round in Lithuania, is level on points with Al Qemzi but faces a difficult task tomorrow when she starts behind the two Abu Dhabi boats after qualifying in third place.

It all adds up to a fascinating Sunday in San Nazzaro, with everything to race for ahead of the two remaining rounds of the championship to follow over back-to-back
September weekends in Portugal.

Having won in San Nazzaro last year on his way to securing a fourth F2 world crown, Al Qemzi arrived back in Italy with his sights set firmly on a repeat win to lift himself back in front in this year’s title battle. He started well, setting the fastest time in this morning’s official practice session, with championship leader Riabko down in eighth position and Wiberg in third spot.

After clocking the fifth-best time, Al Mansoori was quickest over the early part of the afternoon’s Q1 session, later dropping several places before recording another best lap to go through in first place, just ahead of Al Qemzi.

The momentum was clearly with Al Mansoori, who powered his way through Q2 with another fastest lap to reach the six-boat shoot-out ahead of Britain’s Palfreymen and Wiberg, with Al Qemzi fourth ahead of Riabko and Frenchman Nelson Morin.

It was a similar story in Q3, as Al Mansoori once again clocked the best early lap, only to be nudged out of pole position by Al Qemzi
, who now carries the advantage into tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi has set himself up to reclaim the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship by securing pole position for the Grand Prix of Italy.

In a successful day for Team Abu Dhabi, Mansoor Al Mansoori qualified in second place after winning the Q1 and Q2 sessions and leading the Q3 shoot-out before being edged out by his team-mate.

Defending F2 world champion Al Qemzi, aiming for a record fifth title, is just four points behind Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko, who will start in fifth place. Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, who won the previous round in Lithuania, is tied on points with Al Qemzi but will start behind the two Abu Dhabi boats from third place.

This sets the stage for an exciting race day in San Nazzaro, with the championship battle intensifying ahead of the final two rounds in Portugal next month.

Al Qemzi, who won in San Nazzaro last year en route to his fourth F2 title, was the fastest in this morning’s practice session, while Riabko and Wiberg placed eighth and third respectiv
ely. Al Mansoori set the fifth fastest time before moving to first place in Q1 and clocked the fastest lap in Q2 to advance to the six-boat shoot-out.

In Q3, Al Mansoori set the best early lap but was ultimately edged out by Al Qemzi, who now holds the advantage heading into tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The UAE delegation will continue its participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Sunday, in the shooting and athletics competitions.

In the shooting events, taking place at the ChSteauroux Shooting Centre, located approximately 270 km south of Paris, Saif Al Nuaimi and Obaid Al Dahmani will compete in the men’s 10m air rifle prone qualification rounds, with the finals scheduled for the evening session. Ayesha Al Muhairi and Ayesha Al Shamsi will also compete in the women’s 10m air rifle-prone qualification rounds, with their finals set for the evening as well.

In athletics, which will be held at the Stade de France in Paris, Mohammed Othman will participate in his first wheelchair race in the 100m qualifiers, with the finals set to take place on Monday.

Regarding the results of the UAE delegation’s competitions held yesterday, Friday, Ahmed Al Bedwawi finished 22nd in the 1,000m time trial cycling track qualification for the “C5” category, completing the race in 1:13.100 minutes.

In shooting, Ayes
ha Al Shamsi secured 14th place in the mixed 10m air pistol standing qualification for the SH2 category, with a score of 630.1 points, while her teammate, Ayesha Al Muhairi, finished 22nd with a total of 626.7 points in the same competition.

In athletics, Noura Al Ketbi finished 8th in the F32 category club throw finals, achieving a distance of 20.69 metres, while her teammate, Dhekra Al Kaabi, secured 9th place in the same event with a throw of 20.29 metres.

In the shooting competitions held earlier today, Saturday, Abdullah Sultan Al Aryani finished 9th in the 10m air rifle standing qualification, scoring 618.3 points, with the top eight shooters advancing to the finals. Obaid Al Dahmani ranked 13th in the same event, scoring 613.9 points out of a total of 18 participants.

Additionally, Emirati referee Yaqoub Ali Abbas arrived in Paris to officiate the shooting competitions at the Games, after being selected by the International Paralympic Committee.

Source: Emirates News Agency

M.O.D UAE claimed the top spot on the second day of the AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai. Saturday’s competitions, which featured the youth and masters divisions, showcased impressive performances from both local and international competitors. Commando Group secured second place, followed by Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club in third.

Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice-Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, ‘The AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a leading international event, attracting top athletes worldwide. High participation levels reflect their desire to improve their rankings and qualify for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards. These championships are also key to developing local talent by offering our athletes the chance to compete against the best.’

This is the second Jiu-Jitsu event hosted by Shabab Al Ahli Club this season, following the Jiu-Jitsu Vice-Pres
ident’s Cup last June. Thani Majid bin Sulaiman, Director of Combat Sports at Shabab Al Ahli Club, expressed pride in hosting the championship, building on the success of the Vice-President’s Cup.

‘Hosting these major international championships at our club is thanks to our strong partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Dubai’s central location makes it an ideal venue. We are proud to hold this event and work closely with the Federation to ensure its success and meet international standards,” Bin Sulaiman said.

Tiago Vargas, coach of M.O.D UAE, said, ‘We’re pleased to be part of this well-organised championship. It’s a great chance for our athletes to compete, stay sharp, and prepare for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Our competitors did well, securing third place on the first day and winning several medals on the second. We brought as many athletes as possible to make the most of this opportunity.’

Adam Idigov of Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy, who won gold in the Youth M
en’s GI / Blue / 94KG category, said, ‘I’m excited to have won first place in this competitive championship. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.’

Mohammed Alghaithi of M.O.D UAE, who won gold in the Men’s GI / Brown / Master 2 / 120KG category, said, ‘I take part in AJP Championships to push my limits and compete against top athletes. Winning gold today is a significant achievement, especially given the tough competition and high level of talent. It’s a step closer to reaching my goal of earning a black belt.’

The championship will conclude tomorrow with competitions in the amateur and professional categories, featuring top athletes from the region and around the world.

Source: Emirates News Agency