Boxing, Taekwondo remain Jordan’s medals hopefuls at Paris Games

AMMAN – As the 2024 Olympic Games  ends its first week, Jordanians pin hopes on the taekwondo and boxing athletes to be on the medals podium at the Games currently under way in Paris, France.

While the Kingdom is taking part at the Olympics for the 12th time, chances have always been slim to return back winners. Three precious medals have been won over the years, starting only in 2016 and 2020, and now sports fans hope medals can be repeated.

This edition, Jordan is competing  in six  sports with a total of 9 qualifying athletes out of the 12 member team. There are a record 4 qualifiers in Taekwondo headed by Olympian silver medalist Saleh Sharabati in addition to Juliana Al Sadeq, Rama Abul Rub, Zaid Mustafa. Three boxers had also qualified (Hussein and Ziyad Ishaish, Obada Al Kasbeh), gymnast Ahmad Abu Saoud, and table tennis player Zaid Abu Yamen. The delegation also included three wild card participants swimmer Amr Wirr and Karen Bilbeisi, and marathon runner Muath Khawaldeh.

While Taekwondo is yet to start at the Games, all eyes are on boxer Ziyad Ishaish who has advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals and is now a win away from playing for a medal.  

Taking part in his second Olympics, Ziyad beat Kazakhstan’s Shymbergenov Aslanbek in the men’s 71kg Round of 32 before beating Japan’s Sewonrets Okazawa in the Round of 16.

His two teammates Obada Al-Kasbeh and his sibling three-time Olympic qualifier Hussein Ishaish were out in the Round of 16.

Jordan was earlier eliminated in table tennis, gymnastics and swimming in the preliminaryrounds. 

The 2024 Summer Olympics  will run up to August 11, featuring 329 events in 32 sports.