OLYMPIAN TO LEAD JORDAN JUDO IN BAKU

Jordan’s Olympic judo star Ibrahim Khalaf has been named in the team preparing to compete at the Islamic Solidarity Games, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from May 12-22.

Khalaf, Baker Jamil, Saleh Isaifan and Younis Ijraid will be joined by coach Mohammad Khalaf at the multi-sport event which will see Jordan compete in 11 sports with up to 70 athletes. Jordan will also take a women’s judo team with Hadeel Al Alami, Aya Kittaneh and coach Ahmad Al Athameen stepping up their preparations. 

Coach Mohammad Khalaf said: “We are now in a training camp with sessions twice a day: one in the morning and one in the evening. At the end of this month we will travel abroad for an intensive training camp and also take part in a competition. 

“We want to achieve the best results in Baku for Jordan. This is an important part of our plans to develop the national team this year. With the right preparation we our athletes can achieve good results.”

Al Athameen added that the ladies are also showing strong progress.

“Both athletes are confident and have the desire to achieve in Baku so we are looking forward with positively,” he said.

Judo has enjoyed a popularity boost since Ibrahim Khalaf’s participation in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“Ibrahim showed in Rio that an athlete’s dreams can come true,” said Al Athameen. “It showed all of our athletes that through hard work and training you can reach the very top. This has helped to develop our sport.”