Jordan fighters win their way into quarters

AMMAN — It will be a birthday to remember for the mother of Hussein and Zeyad Ishaish after they delivered on a promise to book their places in the quarter-finals of the Asian/Oceanian Road to Tokyo 2020 Boxing qualifying event on Friday in Amman, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The pair were in emphatic form, comfortably winning their bouts to take Team Jordan’s number of boxers to qualify for the last eight of their respective weights to four so far.

Odai Al Hindawi stunned 81kg No 4 seed Jolando Taala in three brilliant rounds to win a unanimous decision, while teammate Obada Al Kesbeh produced a ferocious third round to seal a passage through in the 63kg division, the day before.

“I promised our mother that we would give her a birthday present of both of us qualifying and we delivered,” said older brother Hussein, 25. “This is a big moment not only for our family but for all of Jordan. Thank-you so much for the support we will not let you down.”

World No. 8 Zeyad, and the tournament’s fourth seed, appears to be in the form of his life after recording his unanimous points win over Australia’s Jason Mallia in front of a noisy Prince Hamzeh Hall home audience.

The 21-year-old Asian Games bronze medallist was in control throughout and won all three rounds to reach Sunday morning’s quarter-final of the 69kg division where he will meet 19-year-old Marion Ah Tong, of Samoa, who beat 2017 Asian bronze medallist Sajjad Poshtiri, of Iran.

“It felt amazing to be boxing here in front of all of my family and friends,” he said. “It is so special boxing in my homeland and nothing will stop me getting to Tokyo now.”

Fourth seed in the heavyweight 91kg, Hussein, who reached the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics four years ago, gave a masterclass against Hyeongkyu-kim, of South Korea, rocking him in the second round and forcing a standing count.

He too won all three judges’ verdicts and will fight Samoa’s Plodzicki-Faoagali next on Sunday morning, the same session as his younger brother.

“This will be Hussein Ishaish’s year,” he said. “I am feeling strong. I will fight anyone to reach Tokyo.”

The other 91kg bout saw Davlat Boltayav, of Tajikistan, beat veteran Mongolian Erdenebayar Sandagsuren to book a last eight spot against top seed Vassily Levit, of Kazakhstan.

World bronze medallist and reigning Asian Games champion, Bobo-Usmon Baturov, eased into quarter-finals of the men’s 69kg with victory over New Zealand’s Dominic Roe, and he will next meet China’s Qiong Ersun, who beat Pakistan’s Gul Zaib.

Jordan boxers ask for fans to get behind them.

“I followed the advice of my coach throughout but felt I wasn’t at my best today, I was at about 70 per cent so I can’t wait for Sunday now to show what I am capable of,” said Handawi.

“The next fight is life or death, as victory means the Olympic Games and a dream come true. I encourage all of Jordan to come down on Sunday to support me. I will do this for you.” 

Kasbeh, who will now face top seeded Bakhodur Usmonov on Monday, said: “Nothing was going to stop me in there. I felt I had all of Jordan behind me in the ring. The crowd was fantastic. He was a very strong opponent but I felt stronger as the fight went on and was landing more punches. I was very happy with my performance.” 

Elsewhere, World No. 6 and 75kg top seed, Eumir Marcial, booked his quarter-final place with a win over Kirra Ruston, of Australia. He will next fight Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar, of Mongolia who beat Syria’s Ahmad Ghousoon.

Also making their way through to the last eight were Indonesia’s Maikhel Muskita and India’s Kumar Ashish who stunned Kyrgysztan’s Omurbek Bekzhigit-Uulu, the weight’s fourth seed.

Jordan’s Reem Al Mriheel took on Sumaiya Qosimova of Tajikistan in the Women’s Fly (48-51kg) and Jordan’s Mohammad Alwadi took on Lucky Hari of Indonesia in the Men’s Feather (52-57kg) category in the evening session on Saturday. 

The qualifiers, which run until March 11, has attracted 221 of the best fighters from 35 countries with 63 Olympic spots up for grabs.

The event is being broadcasted live on the Olympic Channel website.