Mixed Olympic draw for Jordanian boxers

AMMAN — Jordan’s boxers have been given a mixed draw for their opening fights at the Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian Qualifying Event which got under way in Amman on Tuesday, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Four boxers — Mohammed Al Wadi (57kg), Obada Al Kasbeh (63kg), Ziad Ishaish (69kg) and Odai Al Hindawi (81kg) — received byes in to the last 16 of their respective weights, meaning that two victories would secure a place at this summer’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But middleweight hopeful Hisham El Simreen (75kg) faced a first fight against Fanat Kakhramonov, of Uzbekistan, on Tuesday’s opening day at Prince Hamzeh Hall.

Jordan’s 2016 Olympic quarter-finalist, Hussein Ishaish, who is ranked fourth in the 91kg heavyweight division, also has a tricky opening bout against Korea’s Hyeongkyu Kim on Friday.

Jordan’s only female entry is Reem Al Shammary who will fight Tajikistan’s Sumaiya Qosimova in her first round fight on Saturday evening. The event has attracted an impressive 221 fighters from 35 countries, with 63 Olympic spots up grabs consisting of 42 in the men’s and 21 in the women’s. The event will run every day until March 11.