UAE Launch event · January 2026
Olympic Weightlifting Workshop with Oleksiy Torokhtiy.
How we planted SAS Coaching Diploma in Dubai. An 18-hour Olympic weightlifting certification at Desert Barbell, taught by a 2012 Olympic Champion. The opening act for our UAE program. NASM CPT Cohort 1 picks up the thread in Q4 2026.
The launch story
The opening act for SAS in the UAE.
In January 2026, SAS Coaching Diploma ran its first ever workshop in the UAE: an 18-hour Olympic weightlifting certification taught by Oleksiy Torokhtiy, 2012 Olympic Champion in the 105 kg class and a multiple-time World Champion. We held it at Desert Barbell in Dubai over two days, with personal trainers, coaches, CrossFit athletes and beginners working through the full snatch and clean and jerk progression.
This was the soft launch for the SAS Coaching Diploma platform in the UAE market. The recurring program follows in Q4 2026 with the NASM Certified Personal Trainer cohort, delivered in Dubai with a KHDA-attested SAS Coaching Diploma added on top. Founding Cohort pricing is open through Q3.
Event facts
At a glance.
Headline coach
Oleksiy Torokhtiy
London 2012 Olympic Champion (105 kg) · multiple-time World Champion · Ukraine
Where + when
Desert Barbell, Dubai
24-25 January 2026 · 18 hours over two days
Format
Hands-on certification
Full snatch and clean and jerk progression. Open to PTs, coaches, CrossFit athletes, beginners.
From the floor
Two days at Desert Barbell.
Recap reel
Highlights from the two days.
Recap video coming soon.
We'll drop the workshop highlight reel here once final edit is in.
What attendees said
Testimonials coming soon.
From the cohort of personal trainers, CrossFit athletes and coaches who came through the workshop.
What's next in Dubai
NASM Certified Personal Trainer · Cohort 1 · Q4 2026.
The follow-up to our launch event. NASM CPT delivered in Dubai by SAS Coaching Diploma, with a KHDA-attested diploma on graduation. Founding Cohort price runs through Q3.