Did you know that the United Arab Emirates regards jiu-jitsu as its national sport? Jiu-jitsu, which originated in ninth-century Japan and whose style was later adopted and modified in Brazil in the 1920s (hence the name Brazilian jiu-jitsu), has been a compulsory subject in the UAE’s public schools since 2008. It is now integrated into...
Tag: Asian Games
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The Philippines at the 19th Asiad: highs and lows
With the close of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 8, the Philippines can take solace in the fact that with four gold medals, it has at least matched its harvest in the 2018 edition of the quadrennial tournament held in Jakarta, Indonesia. With 4 gold, 2 silver, and 12 bronze medals,...
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Filipino athletes at Asiad eye golds, ticket to 2024 Paris Olympics
The biggest Asian Games (Asiad) in history opens on Sept. 23 in Hangzhou, China, with over 12,000 athletes participating, or more than the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ 11,420. For the 395 Filipino athletes competing in 37 sports from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8, the 19th edition of the quadrennial event—which was delayed a year due to...
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Calm before the storm, no panic for coach Cone
Gilas Pilipinas may have been confronted by major issues these past few weeks, but there was a distinct calm on Sept. 14 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City, where the team engaged in a late-afternoon practice session open to the public. Newly named Gilas head coach Tim Cone did not seem fazed that he has...