Nuha Almarri has worked her body hard to get her to what she is today – a professional athlete.
“I was born and raised in Dubai, and sport was always a big part of my life,” she says. “From an early age, I did gymnastics, and then in high school, I switched to basketball and running.”
Almarri, 28, maintained that momentum during her college years, hitting the gym regularly and running. Then, in 2013, she found CrossFit.
“Since then, I have not missed a day [in the gym,] except for rest days,” Almarri says. She trains five days a week, and is currently preparing for her next challenge, the Talise Fitness Sandstorm race at Jumeirah Beach Hotel at the end of this month.
Besides this, Almarri recently caught the attention of Reebok Middle East, and was included in their team of athletes chosen to represent the brand at races and competitions around the UAE and GCC. She also has her heart set on competing at the CrossFit Regional Championships later this year.
“[CrossFit] gives me motivation, keeps me goal-orientated and focused, which helps me with other things in life,” she says. “When I see myself achieving goals [that] are hard work, it makes me feel good.”
Almarri holds a business-management degree from Dubai Women’s College and is a certified strength coach. She doesn’t have a specific coach of her own, instead opting to follow a personal programme and schedule.
“I wake up at 8am, have my breakfast, go to the gym at 10.30am, and do my first session from 11 until 12. I have lunch, and then go back again around 2pm for my second session, which is weightlifting,” she says. “My sisters work out with me almost every day. My mother is a big fan and supporter – she enjoys watching me compete, although sometimes she gets scared when I lift really heavy weights during competition.”
What’s needed to get to the top? “A lot of discipline, commitment, motivation and hard work.”
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you like to have with you?
My Reebok shoes – they perform well in the sand – a barbell and some weights, so I don’t waste time.
What sort of car do you drive?
I drive a small Suzuki. It has good performance and is easy to park. I am not a car fanatic – it suits my purposes.
What’s your favourite tourist attraction in the UAE?
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. I am so proud that Dubai has it here, and I am amazed by it every time I see it.
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Copenhagen is one of my favourites. It is a very vibrant city with great culture and food.
What do you do to relax?
I love hanging out with family and friends.
What five things do you never leave home without?
My gym bag, Reebok leggings and trainers, a towel, a wallet and my phone.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
My mum told me always be committed and do what you love.
What music do you currently have playing on repeat?
I love listening to heavy metal – it makes me want to compete and train harder and faster.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
I love Kcal – they offer healthy food and the quality is amazing.
What’s your favourite show to watch on TV?
I prefer documentaries, such as Wim Hof: Inside the Superhuman World of the Iceman.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Follow your dream, which I did.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
