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Egypt’s Mayar Sherif continued her dominant rise in the tennis world at the BBVA Open Internacional de Valencia in Spain, winning the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 title and leaping into the Top 35 world singles ranking for the first time.
This is also the tennis champion’s second consecutive WTA 125 title, having clinched the WTA 125 Makarska Open trophy in Croatia on 11 June.
Sherif enjoyed a winning streak throughout the tournament, eventually defeating Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera 6-3, 6-3. With this victory, Sherif, now ranked 31st in the world, maintained her remarkable record in WTA 125 finals, extending it to 6-0.
“I came into this tournament with great momentum from Makarska, and I wanted to capitalize on it,” expressed Sherif after her dominant display. “Right from the beginning of the tournament, I felt very comfortable, and I believe that reflected in my straight-set victories throughout.”
With an astounding 9-place leap to 31st place in the singles world ranking, Sherif is now the highest-ranked Egyptian tennis player in history – surpassing the legendary Ismail El Shafei’s career-high of 34th place.
The winners of the third National Cultural Awards were honored in a ceremony held in Riyadh on Saturday. The event was a night dedicated to celebrating cultural creativity and promising ambition.
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan presented the awards to the winners in the presence of Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary. The ceremony was also attended by a distinguished group of intellectuals, writers and media figures.
The National Cultural Awards, an annual initiative by the Ministry of Culture, aims to recognize and showcase the talents of individuals within the country.
The awards also serve to promote their cultural products both locally and internationally, while providing financial and moral support to encourage their continued growth and success.
The winners were nominated for awards in 16 different categories, covering a range of areas including literature, music, architecture and design, nonprofits and film.
Prince Badr said: “We are happy to honor innovators in our beloved capital,” adding that the initiative aims to “shed light on talents, celebrate achievements, honor innovators and encourage cultural production.”
He said: “The newly launched business owner award for this year reflects the cultural system’s appreciation for the contributions of supporters of cultural activity across all cultural sectors, and acknowledges their vital role as an integral part of the efforts made by the cultural system entities.”
Prince Badr added: “The international cultural excellence award celebrates international cultural personalities and institutions contributing to enriching the contemporary international cultural landscape, in addition to celebrating the significant efforts in the field of international cultural exchange on a global level.”
He concluded by congratulating the winners of the National Cultural Awards for this year, urging them to continue their efforts and wishing everyone a future filled with arts and culture.
Author Abu Abdulrahman Al-Dhaheri received the cultural pioneer award for his extensive contributions to literature and culture. He has produced a diverse collection of publications in languages, literature, philosophy, art, Shariah sciences and history.
Businessman Abdulrahman bin Mahfouz won the business owner award for supporting cultural activity. The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas received the international cultural excellence award.
In addition, Lubna Al-Khamis, a Saudi journalist, won the youth cultural award. The cultural institutions award was given to the Saudi Research and Media Group in the private sector and the Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center in the nonprofit sector.
The ceremony also recognized winners in other cultural sectors. Mohammed Ibrahim Yaacoub, a poet, received the literature award, and Adab Publishing won the publishing award.
Maha Al-Faleh was honored with the translation award, and Charmaleena Jewellery received the fashion award. Dr. Abdullah Al-Masri, a historian, won the national heritage award, and Bateel International was recognized with the culinary arts award.
Artist Manal Al-Dowayan was given the visual arts award, and the Riyadh Band received the theater and performing arts award.
Abdulrahman Mohammed won the music award, while Ibrahim Al-Hsawi won the film award. Kholoud Attar was recognized with the architecture and design award.