Team Jordan athletes start heading to Indonesia

AMMAN — Jordan’s quest for Asian Games glory will see 35 athletes compete across eight sports, with the initial delegation expected to arrive in Indonesia on Thursday.

The 18th edition of the Asian Games will be held in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang, and Jordan has selected a talented squad capable of pushing for medals following the Opening Ceremony on Saturday.

The team members representing taekwondo, swimming and 3x3 basketball are among the first athletes that will compete for Jordan.

The in-form taekwondo team will be headed by Olympic gold medallist Ahmad Abu Ghaush, who is hoping to be fit following a broken rib, along with Saleh Al Sharabati and Juliana Al Sadeq who both picked up medals at last weekend’s World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Moscow. Hamzeh Qattan, Zaid Mustafa and Rama Abu Al Rub are also capable of medals, with the team coached by Faris Al Assaf and Laith Othman.

Swimmers that are hoping to impress include Olympian Khader Baqleh, Amro Al Wer and Mohammad Al Bdour. They have national coach Ali Al Nawaiseh overseeing their participation.

Baqleh will be hoping to bring his US college form to the Asian pool in the 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle as well as the 200m Medley. Al Wer goes in the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke events, and Bdour is entered into the 50m,100m Freestyle races and the 50m Butterfly.

Meanwhile, the 3x3 Basketball team consisting of Omar Al Bukhari, Rayan Jarad, Hanna Juha and Shaker Shubair will be making their Asian Games debut.

Following this initial delegation, athletes representing karate, boxing, athletics, judo and jujitsu will be making their way to southeast Asia to compete.