Rise of Heroes | 02 May 14 | |||||
Aya Saeid Saber (born 20 March 1991), also known as "Sheklesa", is a mixed martial artist, who is the first woman from Egypt to compete professionally in the sport.
Saber was born on 20 March 1991. Her interest in martial arts began as a child when she earned a brown belt in karate in 2000. From there she joined the Egyptian National Kung Fu team, winning competitions with them. She then met Mohamed Abdel Hameed, a coach who introduced MMA to Egypt and established the Top Team - Egypt's MMA squad. Saber is the only woman in the team and is also the first woman from Egypt to compete in the sport. She coaches a new generation of women to become mixed martial artists; ultimately she intends to establish Egypt's first all-female MMA team. She recognises that in Egypt, where in 2013 over 99% of women had experienced sexual harassment, it is important for women to develop the skills in order to physically defend themselves from men.
Saber is married and has a daughter.
2014-2015 |
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