EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JORDAN AND RIO 2016
Apr 14, 2016
Following boxer Hussein Ishaiash’s dramatic qualification to this summer’s Olympic Games earlier this month, Jordan’s sports fans are hoping more of the Kingdom’s stars can make the plane to South America.
Ishaiash won the Olympic box-off at the recent Asia and Oceania qualifiers for the super heavyweight division to become the first Jordanian to confirm his spot.
He is likely to be joined by swimmer Khader Baqleh who is awaiting his confirmation from swimming’s governing body after making the B qualifying time at the World Championships last year.
But who else is currently trying to book their spot?
There are hopes that taekwondo will spawn a qualifier or two to continue Jordan’s impressive record of having fighters qualifying to the past three Olympics.
The team comprising of Ahmad Abu Ghoush (68kg), Anas Al Adarbeh (80kg), Bana Daraghmeh (49kg) and Juliana Al Sadeq (67kg) are competing at the Asian Qualifications in Philippines on April 16 and 17 with the top two going through in each weight category.
In triathlon, Lawrence Fanous’s long journey continues by trying to secure points through the Asian events. He will also look to impress at the Asian Championships at the end of April in Japan.
Ishaiash’s boxing teammateshave one last chance to join him when the World Qualifiers are held in June in Kazakhstan. The federation is currently deciding which boxers will go for a last bid.
In Judo, Ibrahim Khalaf is currently top of the Asian rankings and has three more championships left to build up points. Coming up in May are Grand Prix championships in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The top 22 on the world rankings will qualify with the remainder trying through continental championships.
Finally, the weightlifting team is competing in the Asian Qualifications in Uzbekistan from April 21-30 when the first three qualify to the Olympics. That team includes: Asmahan Mohammad, Rula Khaled, Mohammad Al Aboudi, Mohammad Abu Jame' and Mohammad Awajan.
