Jordan's Abu Ghaush up for taekwondo gold medal

AMMAN — Jordan player Ahmad Abu Ghaush qualified to the finals of the Olympic taekwondo -68kg competition late Thursday after beating Spaniard Joel Gonzalez Bonilla.

Abu Ghaush won 12-7, and is now closer to the chance to win gold.

His win guarantees Jordan its first ever Olympic medal.

On the same day, Abu Ghaush beat world champion Daehoon Lee, according to the Rio Olympics' official website.

He beat the South Korean 11-8.

In his opening match earlier on Thursday Abu Ghaush took on Egypt’s Ghofran Ahmed in Carioca Arena 3, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Abu Ghaush, the youngest in the division at just 20, had beaten the Egyptian in their previous three meetings, and kept that streak going with a 9-1 victory over the 23-year-old.

“I am thrilled to have got off to a winning start,” said the Amman-based student.

He fought against the far taller opponent and opened his account with a head kick right on the first round buzzer to take a 3-0 lead.

The Jordanian continued his strong performance through the remaining two rounds to cruise through to victory.