Child prodigy sets shining example

Few athletes in the world can claim to set a shining example to youngsters more than Jordan’s very own Ala’ Kutkut.

The 23 year-old shot to stardom at just 14 years old when she won tae kwon do silver for Jordan at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998. Eight years later the fete was repeated with silver in the Doha Asia Games – all this at a time when she is completing her studies to become a doctor!

Not only demonstrating it is possible to become a world class sportswoman while at the same time continuing with studies, the modest Kutkut is as good an ambassador for her country as you will find.

“I consider myself an ambassador to Jordan when I represent the country and my ambition is to raise my country's flag,” said Kutkut: “It has been difficult to both study and to prepare myself for major events but it is important because there is life after sport.

“I had to postpone my studies for a little while to prepare for Doha but I will continue and qualify for my medicine PHD. It was worth it because I became the first Jordanian to receive two Silver Medals in the Asian Games after the one I achieved in Bangkok back in 1998.”

Away from world class competition, Kutkut likes to listen to music, plays the piano and traveling. She lives in a family of five girls and two boys who are all either studying or working. Kutkut’s focus has always been on her sport and obtaining her PHD.

But it is tae kwon do where she has made a big name for herself.

“I started at nine when my sisters and I registered in the Champions Taek Won Do Centre. I trained under Samer Kamal whom we owe for our development. I participated in all local championships that were organised by the Federation. I was in the Juniors team and achieved my first silver medal when I was 10. After that I achieved many medals and became a member of the National Youth Team.

“In 1998, I participated in my first International Championship in Morocco when I was 14 and won Bronze. I then took part in the World Championships in Turkey and a training camp in Taiwan in preparation for my first Asian Games in Bangkok where I won silver. It was quite an achievement when I look back considering my age”

That victory won her a place in the hearts of Jordanians and she continued to impose herself on the global scene.

“I continued participating in international championships. I participated in the Canada World Championship, the qualifications for the Sydney Olympics, the Asian Championships in the Philippines and the Ninth Pan Arab Games held in Amman in 1999 where I won gold.”

Bonze medals followed in the Hong Kong World Championships and the Arab Youth Championships in Amman but she paused her sporting career to launch her academic studies at Damascus University. These times were tough but the youngster maintained her fitness and enthusiasm for the sport throughout her studies.

She added: “Before the Doha Asian Games, I decided to postpone my studies which was a very hard decision for me and my family to make. I came back to Amman and started training with the National Team. In Doha, I started against the Vietnam Champion and then beat an Iranian. In the final against the Chinese Olympic gold medalist I was beaten but I was very proud of my achievements.”

In February, Kutkut was named Black Iris Sportswoman of the Year, an award decided by the Jordan media, and she received the prestigious trophy from HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee.

“I was honored to hold the award, and I consider it very close to my heart because it gave me the title of the Best Female Athlete for 2006,” she said. “I owe all my achievements to God, then to my deceased father Hussein who was always supporting me and my family. Also to my training staff.”

But with one eye firmly fixed on her future, Kutkut will return to Damascus to continue her studies and to later start her preparations for the next Olympics in Beijing in 2008.