JORDAN READY TO IMPRESS AS JU-JITSU MAKES ASIAN GAMES BOW

With Ju-Jitsu included on the Asian Games programme for the first time next month, Team Jordan has understandably become even more optimistic for a healthy medal haul this time around.

The sport has taken a giant step towards eventual Olympic inclusion by being added to the roster for the 18th Asian Games from August 18-September 3 in Indonesia.

And Jordan will be one of the countries hoping to make an impact by naming a squad that includes a number of Asian and International champions.

The 11-strong squad includes Freih Ahmad (-62kg), Abdullah Nabbas (-69kg), Ghlib Ahmad (-69kg), Hamzeh Al Rasheed (-77kg), Abdulkareem Al Rasheed (-77kg), Haidar Al Rasheed (-85kg), Bader Al KhuzaI (-85kg), Zeid Jarandoka (-94kg), Basel Fanous (-94kg), Yasmeen Al Khateeb (-49kg) and Yara Qaqish (-62kg).

The team has been training intensively under the supervision of Coach Zeid Abu Al Suoud to be ready.

“We are really determined to make the podium,” said Abu Al Soud. “We are used to winning medals across the world at the very highest level but this is the first Asian Games so we are aware that anything can happen. “We know a lot of the fighters that we will face as we have met many of them before so we have prepared as best we can. We are not taking anything for granted though. It will be a tough challenge which we are up for.”

Last month, Jordan won three medals, including one gold, at the Asian Ju-Jitsu Championships held in Kazakhstan.