Said Abdel Moneim El Assal, a remarkable individual, was born on September 16, 1962, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey. His introduction to martial arts at the tender age of 11 by his father, who recognized his physical weakness, would have a profound impact on his life.
After four years of dedicated training, Said joined the Egyptian Karate team, laying the foundation for his future accomplishments. At 16, he embarked on his amateur fighting career as a lightweight, weighing in at 135 pounds, a feat that would set the stage for his future success.
In 1979, Said represented the Egyptian Karate team at the WAKO World Championships in Tampa, Florida, where he faced off against a formidable opponent, "Big Train" Bergman, a kickboxer from Miami Beach, Florida. Despite being a non-championship match, Said's victory over the European and British semi-contact middleweight champion Michael Hemming, whom he defeated in the second round due to injury, was a significant achievement.
Throughout his career, Said primarily competed in semi-contact and lightweight championships, with a few notable exceptions where he fought under kickboxing rules. His impressive martial arts skills, characterized by his ability to execute a 360-degree kick to an opponent's head, earned him recognition and acclaim.
Said's foray into acting was met with success, with his good looks and charisma leading to starring roles in higher budget films. However, his personal life was marked by turmoil, including a divorce, a new marriage, and another divorce. Despite these challenges, Said remained committed to his craft, and his acting skills continued to evolve, becoming more emotional and nuanced with each new film.
