Said Abdel Moneim El Assal was born on September 16, 1962. He began practicing martial arts at the age of 11. His father introduced him to martial arts when he saw that his son was physically weak. After 4 years of training, he joined the Egyptian Karate team. At the age of 16, he began his amateur fighting career as a lightweight at 135 pounds. In 1979, Said was a member of the Egyptian Karate team when it traveled to Tampa, Florida to compete in the WAKO World Championships promoted by Mike An ...