Traditional sword fighting in Fujairah. Emirati Swordsman, Hazza Sulaiman Al Shehi of Dibba, Fujairah, has set a new world record by throwing his sword 21.275 metres in the air and catching it with precision. The height of the sword throw was measured by laser technology. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv
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00:00These young Emirati men are clashing their swords at the Al-Saif traditional sword competition.
00:23They are battling it out to symbolically win the 16th century fort in the Emirate of Fujairah.
00:29The Al-Saif traditional sword competition was first launched in 2010.
00:48The competition has also entered the Guinness World Records for the largest Yola dance,
00:53in which 285 dancers participated.
01:13Moving gracefully to the tunes of the Yola, the swordsmen meet in the middle to display
01:18their mastery of the sword dance.
01:32They face each other, two on two, for the confrontation, or what they call the Al-Muzaffin.
02:00Al-Muzaffin is considered one of the traditional arts of the UAE, reflecting its social values,
02:06morals and aesthetics.
02:20The warriors in the middle are judged by a team of judges on their skill in throwing
02:24the swords high up in the air and catching it with precision.
02:29Points are also scored by the warriors for their footwork as they dance and jump high
02:59The falling of a sword or headscarf would mean deduction of points.
03:16The warriors say they are proud of their heritage and are keen to preserve it.
03:37This contest clearly shows that modernity has not erased the rich and unique traditions
03:42of the UAE.
03:44Sunita Menon, Gulf News.