history

How the peaceful practice of defending oneself developed into the competitive sport it is today.

Martial arts is rapidly growing in the Middle East, a complex sporting genre with many different forms, styles, and theories regarding its origin. With the Jiujitsu Vice President Cup taking place in Dubai in June, this article aims to explore this complicated yet beautiful sport further.

Although popular as a defensive sport, the literal translation of jiujitsu is ‘gentle art.’  There are many countries that claim the sport as its own including Japan, China, Germany and Egypt. Almost all countries throughout history, were heavily involved in hand-to-hand combat at some point, and after all hand-to-hand contact is the basis of jiujitsu.  One of the main reasons it’s so challenging to pinpoint where exactly the s

A brief history of how competitive swimming became a global phenomenon, was instrumental in military training and was a priority for babies to learn.

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” Lao Tzu

I have always been fascinated by both the beauty and the power of water. Many of us are lucky and have been taught to swim from an early age, and in the UAE, we are blessed with some beautiful beaches, oceans and pools that we can freely take advantage of. 

But along with its beauty and meditative magic, water is also a powerful element, whether that is a pool, or in the glittering, sometimes deceivingly calm sea waters.  Swimming safely is something that should not be taken for granted.  Even professionals with years of training and experience sometimes face difficulties.  Recently in the news, USA swim coach Andrea Fuentes swiftly, and heroically, dove int