Team Jordan continues at the Youth Games

AMMAN — Team Jordan young athletes at the Youth Olympic Games are gaining invaluable experience from the world-class competition in Nanjing, China, according to a statement from the Jordan Olympic Committee. Balqis Al Qudah, 16, faced some of the world’s best young fencers and gave a great account of herself, eventually losing in the epee knock-out stages to Asian champion Mio Yushimora of Japan (15-9). Earlier in the group stages, she lost to Korea’s Sun Li (5-0), Poland’s Maria Marsouz (5-0), Egypt’s Sheroet Ibrahim (5-3), Hungary’s Kenga Naggi (5-2) and Sweden’s Asa Lendi (5-0). “She was very disappointed after the group stage but gave a fantastic performance against the very experienced Japanese fencer in the knock-out stage to show she has the potential to do very well in this sport,” coach Anas Al Kayed was quoted in the statement as saying. Meanwhile, Yazan Abandeh, 17, was knocked out of the gymnastic competition after finishing 33rd out of 42 competitors. He accumulated 72.5 points from the six disciplines. Eman Al Adayleh on Sunday lost 5-2 to Britain’s Abigail Stones in the -44kg women’s taekwondo quarter-final 3 action. Swimmer Khader Baqlah, 17, set a new personal best (1:53:28) in the 200m freestyle, finished third in his heat but failed to qualify. He goes again in the pool, for the 100m freestyle, on Thursday. Team Jordan took a break from action on Tuesday, before returning to the pool on Wednesday where Lydia Musleh will compete in the 200m freestyle. Also on Wednesday, taekwondo fighter Taima Hbowal will meet China’s Xang Chen in the 63kg weight class.