Yemeni jiu-jitsu champion aims to bring world title home to Middle East

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Osamah Almarwai has seen huge success in the sport. (Supplied)
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Osamah Almarwai has seen huge success in the sport. (Supplied)
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Osamah Almarwai has seen huge success in the sport. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 May 2023
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Yemeni jiu-jitsu champion aims to bring world title home to Middle East

  • Osamah Almarwai is the first black belt IBJJF World No-Gi World Champion from the region
  • He will challenge title holder Mikey Musumeci (US) at the ONE Fight Night 10 event on May 5

Born to Yemeni parents and raised in Saudi Arabia, San Diego resident Osamah Almarwai has gone further than any Arab athlete in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world. And this weekend, Almarwai looks to go one step further by becoming the Flyweight World Champion in submission grappling at the ONE Fight Night 10 event in Colorado this Friday.

The Singapore-based ONE FC will be staging their first-ever event in the US with a killer card in the mixed martial arts world. Three world title fights in MMA, Muay Thai and submission grappling are on the main card, and the world title fight of Musumeci vs. Almarwai is one of the most anticipated of the night.

Under the guidance of world-famous Andre Galvao at the Atos Academy in San Diego, Almarwai has been training in BJJ for almost 15 years. He started grappling while in high school in Saudi Arabia and continued while getting his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.

“I tried a lot of sports — I did judo, taekwondo, kung-fu, wrestling and jiu-jitsu — but what I loved about jiu-jitsu was the technical aspect,” said Almarwai. “In Japanese, jiu-jitsu means ‘the gentle art.’ It is a sport where the technique is more important than power or strength. As an engineer, I think that catered to my personality. We, engineers, sometimes are considered nerds, we love thinking and solving problems. I love BJJ because of the thinking element of it — I thought I could be successful at it.”

Almarwai, who also has a master’s degree in engineering management, was right, and has seen huge success in the sport. Within just a few short years he has become Number 1 IBJJF Rooster Weight No-Gi (2022), IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2022), IBJJF Pan No-Gi Champion (2022), IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi Champion (2022), IBJJF World Master Champion (2022), Number 1 IBJJF Rooster Weight No-Gi (2021 brown), IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2021 brown), IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi Champion (2021 brown) and hopes to add the highly coveted ONE Flyweight World Champion title in submission grappling on May 5.

The highly decorated and ONE Flyweight World Champion in submission grappling, Mikey Musumeci, will be one of Almarwai’s biggest tests. The American is considered by many to be the world’s top pound-for-pound submission grappler and was the one who called for the fight with Almarwai after the Yemeni won the Black Belt IBJJF World Championship last year.

“Mikey is one of the best in the world; he has been a black belt for a while. He asked for me because he wanted a challenge. And when I got the offer, I was super excited and accepted right away. I train with the best, and the only way to test yourself is to fight the best,” said the 31-year-old.

Almarwai has been training for this fight for three months, including one month during Ramadan. “I trained three times a day while fasting. It isn’t easy, especially not having water. I do a lot of cardio, so I need to rehydrate. But I am thankful I went through it well; I did all my training sessions and didn’t skip a single one. I was able to challenge my mind and body during this time,” he said.

But Ramadan was not the only difference in the camp. Almarwai is training for one of his biggest fights yet and against a very aggressive opponent. He has been working with the Ruotolo brothers under the guidance of his coach, Andre Galvao, at one of the best BJJ gyms in the country, in careful preparation for the fight.

“Mikey is one of the best grapplers in the world — he is the current champion. Usually, I am fighting in tournaments, so in a weight bracket I will fight multiple opponents. But with this fight, I am only having to focus on one fighter, Mikey. My team and I have been studying all his fights, his strengths and his weaknesses. I have been training hard, sometimes over two hours at a time. This helps make the 10-minute round easier in comparison. I am used to 10-minute rounds as a black belt — that is what we fight in matches. So, I know how to pace myself and control my energy,” he said.

This is the first event in the US by ONE FC, with fans already showing a huge appetite for Almarwai’s debut on the night. “To be one of the main cards and fight for a world title is a huge honor for me. The event is going to be exciting. I expect we will go hard at it; it will be 10 minutes of non-stop action. My prediction is that I will get the submission. I have the best team and I have the right people around me,” he said.

“Once I win the title, I want to face him again in my backyard — the Middle East. To take the title in his backyard, bring it home and face him again there, would be ideal,” the Yemeni grappler added.

The talented IBJJF No-Gi World Champion will try to capture another first for his Middle Eastern heritage and the pressure to show the world that champions do come from countries like Yemen and Saudi Arabia is what drives Almarwai every day.

“I do feel a lot of pressure. I have been getting a lot of love and support from so many people back home, and in the GCC, as well as the US. But I have dealt with this type of pressure before when I fought for my black belt, and it drives me. To show the world that we have champions in the Middle East, and we can win world titles,” he said.

“Although I reside in San Diego and train here, I hope to return home one day and open a fight center, and maybe inspire some Middle Eastern world champions.”

ONE Fight Night 10 airs live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Friday, May 5.

After his fight, Almarwai will go straight back into the gym on Monday to begin training for the IBJJF World Championships set to take place in California from June 1-4.


UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

Updated 58 min 41 sec ago
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UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

  • “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
  • The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal

NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.


Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Updated 14 November 2024
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

  • A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
  • The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year

TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.


Saudi goal disallowed in scoreless draw with Australia

Updated 14 November 2024
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Saudi goal disallowed in scoreless draw with Australia

  • Green Falcons thought they had won in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box
  • Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar who came out to clear the ball, but VAR showed the infringement was outside the box

MELBOURNE: Saudi Arabia had a goal disallowed in added time in a scoreless draw with Australia, a result that did neither side any favors in their bid to qualify for World Cup 2026.
Despite several chances in front of a sold out AAMI Park in Melbourne, the breakthrough both teams desperately needed never came.
The Saudis and their new French coach Herve Renard thought they had won in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box.
But the flag went up, with one of his teammates offside.
“We had some good opportunities but we have to go give our opponent credit. First half we didn’t play very well,” said Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“We were not very good with the ball while they were sharp and energetic.
“We improved significantly in the second half, which is good,” he added.
“Overall, it’s a point and we move forward but certainly we can improve.”
The stalemate played into the hands of Group C leaders Japan and opened the door for Bahrain to leapfrog them as Asian qualifying reached the halfway mark.
Australia and the Saudis both have six points, four behind table-toppers Japan who can stretch their lead further when they meet Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Bahrain, on five points, host China later in Riffa and will move into second spot if they win.
Just the top two seal their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America, with third and fourth forced into another round of Asian qualifying.
Australia must now lift themselves for a difficult trip to Bahrain next week, while Saudi Arabia travel to Indonesia.
Popovic made just one change from the team that drew with Japan in Saitama last month with Standard Liege midfielder Aiden O’Neill in for Luke Brattan.
Renard, who was appointed a fortnight ago in place of Roberto Mancini, swung the axe with just four survivors from their last match, a goalless draw with Bahrain.
Both sides started at a frenetic pace and in a big moment on 12 minutes the referee awarded Australia a penalty after Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar who came out to clear the ball.
But VAR showed the infringement was outside the box.
The first decent effort did not come until the 27th minute when Saudi midfielder Nasser Al-Dawsari whipped in a shot from a tight angle. Goalkeeper Joe Gauci saved at the near post.
Gauci made another crucial stop on the cusp of half-time, charging off his line to pluck the ball off the feet of Feras Albrikan in a one-on-one situation.
Australia had the brighter second half, creating far more chances with Riley McGree and Duke whipping in shots that were blocked.
They had a glorious opportunity with seven minutes left when substitute Brandon Borrello beat the offside trap.
But instead of shooting he opted to pass and the chance was wasted, before the last-minute drama with the disallowed goal.


Maxwell’s power-hitting and Australia pace flatten Pakistan in a rain-shortened T20

Updated 14 November 2024
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Maxwell’s power-hitting and Australia pace flatten Pakistan in a rain-shortened T20

  • Match started after a three-hour delay and was shortened to seven over per side
  • Pakistan made 64-9 in response to Australia’s 93-4, losing five wicket in first 15 balls

BRISBANE: Glenn Maxwell’s robust 43 off 19 balls helped Australia thump Pakistan by 29 runs in a rain-shortened first Twenty20 on Thursday.
After a nearly three-hour delay due to lightning and rain, the match was shortened to seven overs per side.
Maxwell powered Australia to 93-4 and Pakistan reached only 64-9 after slumping to 16-5 inside the first 15 balls.
Nathan Ellis (3-9) and Xavier Bartlett (3-13) ran through the top order before No. 8 batter Abbas Afridi’s unbeaten 20.
“Certainly had a lot of fun out there,” Maxwell said. “We thought we had enough on the board … the bowlers did a great job. There was a few of us who had packed our bags expecting the game to be called off, so it was a mad rush to get ready.”

Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Usman Khan (left), celebrate the dismissal of Australia’s Matt Short during the T20 cricket international between Pakistan and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on November 14, 2024. (AP)

Maxwell followed scores of 0, 16, 0 in the preceding one-day international series won by Pakistan 2-1 by smacking three sixes and five boundaries. He played some extravagant lap shots to third man against the pace of Haris Rauf (1-21) and Naseem Shah (1-37).
Maxwell fell in the penultimate over when he hooked Abbas Afridi (2-9) to backward square leg but Marcus Stoinis provided a final flourish with an unbeaten 21 off seven balls. Stoinis smashed 20 runs in Shah’s last over with two fours and six.
None of the top six Pakistan batters reached double figures.
Sahibzada Farhan hit Spencer Johnson for two successive boundaries off the first two balls he faced before mistiming a pull shot off the fourth ball and holing out at midwicket.
Mohammad Rizwan, in his first match as the Pakistan skipper, fell to the first ball when he top-edged Bartlett to point. Usman Khan was caught at third man in the same over.
Ellis struck twice in his first over when Babar Azam was caught in the deep and Jake Fraser-McGurk snapped his third catch as Irfan Khan also offered a tame catch at deep midwicket.
Pakistan was 24-6 in the fourth over when Salman Ali Agha scored only 4 in his debut T20, guiding a sharp, short Bartlett delivery to Australia first-time captain Josh Inglis on the run.

Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi bats during the T20 cricket international between Pakistan and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on November 14, 2024. (AP)

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa clean-bowled Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah off successive balls in the last over to complete the rout.
“It was difficult to keep things normal in a seven-over game,” Rizwan said. “Got to give credit to Maxy, his style worked really well.”

Australia’s Adam Zampa, right, celebrates with teammates after defeating Pakistan during the T20 cricket international between Pakistan and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on November 14, 2024. (AP)

The second T20 is in Sydney on Saturday, and the last in Hobart on Monday.


ICC Champions Trophy promo confirms Pakistan as host

Updated 14 November 2024
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ICC Champions Trophy promo confirms Pakistan as host

  • The video comes days after the ICC informed Pakistan that India had declined to play in the country
  • Pakistan has said it is not interested in a hybrid hosting model adopted during last year’s Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council’s promotional video for the Champions Trophy 2025 has portrayed Pakistan as the tournament host, with the global governing body for cricket promising a “thrilling competition” in a statement released on Wednesday.
The video comes just days after the ICC informed Pakistan that India had declined to play tournament matches in the country, prompting Pakistani authorities to rule out the hybrid hosting model adopted last year for the Asia Cup, where India played all its matches in Sri Lanka.
Political tensions between the two countries have led the Indian team to avoid traveling to Pakistan since 2008, with both sides only competing in multination tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
The ICC has not directly commented on the situation, though the promotional video clearly showed visuals communicating that the tournament will be arranged in Pakistan.
It promo displayed an unconventional logo, which the ICC said was designed to be “bold, loud, confident, and fun,” saying the visual identity was digital-first while calling it a dynamic, typographic logo.
“The two weeks of thrilling competition the event is renowned for is reflected in the bold and loud edge to the brand,” ICC Chief Commercial Officer Anurag Dahiya said in a statement. “The new elements are accompanied by the distinctive white jackets which nod to the history of the Champions Trophy and its unique, global appeal.”
The men’s Champions Trophy is set to return in 2025 after about eight years, with Pakistan clinching the title in the 2017 final against India.
The tournament was last held in England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi that are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games scheduled to be held between February 19 and March 9.