Mahmoud Al Khateeb

For such a gentle, well-mannered young man, it is shocking to see his transformation into a monster in the ring but Mahmoud Al Khateeb did just that to win Gold at the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam last month.

Name: Mahmoud Hesham Mahmoud Al Khateeb
Age: 23
Sport: Kick Boxing
Career: Physical Education Teacher
Place of Residence: Zarqa – Al Hashemeyah

1. How did you get into your sport?
My older brother used to take me with him to the club. I started to love this sport by watching them compete and then I found myself going alone if my brother didn’t go. When I turned 16, I registered at the Amjad Club for Karate and Kick Boxing. I trained hard and the coaches noticed me and encouraged me. They nominated me for the Juniors national team in 2002 and graduated into the national team.

2. What have been your main achievements?

• Gold medal in the Arab Championship in Syria 2008
• Bronze Medal in the World Cup for Martial Arts in Italy 2008
• Bronze Medal in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok 2008
• Gold Medal in the 3rd Indoor Asian Games in Vietnam 2009

3. What is the biggest highlight / moment of your career?
When I bet the Moroccan Athlete in the Arab Championship in Syria to qualify for the finals

4. What are your ambitions / goals now?
To become the world champion

5. How do you think your sport can be improved?
Kick Boxing needs a lot of equipment for the safety of the players and that’s what we lack at the federation. It also needs more private sector support, since this sport brings medals all the time for the country. We need to have more training camps overseas for preparation and experience as well as to participate in more championships. Obviously we could do with more qualified coaches in Jordan too.

6. How do you spend your time away from sport?
After work I go either to train or I go out with friends

7. What are your main hobbies / interests?
Tennis and reading

8. If you were given one million dinars how would you spend it?
I will invest part of it in personal projects, another part for supporting Kick Boxing sport, and I would like to go to visit the Ka’aba

9. Who do you consider as your idol(s)?
My coach Ahmad Al Salman

10. Who are your favorite overseas and local athletes?
Locally Ali Al Ta’mari and overseas the Kazakhstan Kick Boxer Babour

11. What message or advice would you like to give youngsters coming into sport?
They have to be patient and train very hard especially in Kick Boxing it needs a lot and continuous training, they have to put winning as a target and nothing but winning.

12. What is your Favorite food?
Mloukheyeh

13. Last words for your fans?
I would like to thank the Hashemite Family for their essential support, His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Al Hussein II and the Jordan Olympic Committee. I also thank everybody that supports me and I hope that the Jordan Flag stays up in the skies in all international events, and I want to encourage Jordanians to support Kick Boxing.

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