Sports

AMMAN — Boxer Hussein Ishaiash is just one fight away from becoming the first ever Jordanian to win an Olympic Games medal, but the man in his path is a world champion, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Ishaiash won a dramatic last 16 fight on Saturday by a split decision, and his reward is a quarter-final clash with Frenchman Tony Yoka, the reigning world champion in the super heavyweight division.

Ishaiash, 21, is relatively small for the category and will be giving away 20cm in height and nearly 10kg in weight to the giant Frenchman who is the favourite for gold in Rio de Janeiro.

“I have nothing to lose,” said Ishaiash, whose courageous performance on Saturday was praised by HRH Prince Feisal, JOC president. “Like my last fight, I will give everything I have and leave nothing behind. I have only one chance at this and will do my very best for my country.

“I have had amazing support from Jordan over the past few days which I can’t thank everyone enough for. It has been really special and I want to win this next fight for all of those people who have believed in me and got behind me.”

The fight will take place in the Rio Centre 6 venue at around 6:45pm Jordan time.

Yoka is a giant of the division and stands at 200cm tall and weighed in at 105kg for his previous fight. In comparison, Ishaiash weighed in at 96kg and stands at 180cm tall.

But the coaching team also sees that as an advantage with Ishaiash’s speed and movement being key assets.

The winner will be through to the semifinals, guaranteeing a bronze medal.

AMMAN — After a frantic few days of Team Jordan action, sports officials are taking stock of the results with HRH Prince Feisal, the president of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC), praising the team’s efforts so far, according to the JOC News Service.

Saturday’s win for Hussein Ishaiash, which makes him the first Jordanian boxer to reach an Olympics quarter-final, brought the first week of action to a successful close.

The 21-year-old beat Romanian professional Mihal Nistor, 25, in a gruelling fight that booked him a last eight appointment with World Champion Tony Yoka on Tuesday.

“We are so proud of the achievements of Hussein, as well as the other athletes that have competed so well this week,” said Prince Feisal, who delivered a rousing team talk to the delegation at the Athletes Village whilst in Rio de Janeiro last week. “They are representing Jordan so all I asked of them was to give us 100 per cent which they have all gone out and done. We have enjoyed some great performances and achievements for Jordan this week that we can all celebrate.

“There is still more to come so I wish those competing this next week all the best.”

Prior to Ishaiash’s win, swimmers Khader Baqlah and Talita Baqlah set new Jordan records for the 200m and 50m freestyle respectively. While boxer Obada Al Kesbeh and judoka Ibrahim Khalaf lost their fights, their fine performances gave Jordanians plenty to be proud of.

The athletes’ efforts have been warmly welcomed in Jordan where a social media explosion of support followed the announcement of Ishaiash’s result last night.

Following his next round fight on Tuesday, taekwondo star Ahmad Abu Ghaush and triathlete Lawrence Fanous are both in action on Thursday and, finally, Mithqal Al Abbadi runs his second Olympic marathon on the closing day on Sunday.

AMMAN — Jordan boxer Hussein Ishaiash has won an enthralling fight to book a historic spot in the Olympic quarter-finals of the super heavyweight division, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service. Ishaiash beat Romanian Mihal Nistor by a split decision in a brutal contest to become the first Jordanian boxer to make the last eight at the Olympics.

“I can’t tell you right now just how much this means to me,” said the 21-year old who carried Jordan’s flag at the Opening Ceremony last week. I really am speechless. I gave everything I had in the ring. I promised I would and threw everything at him. This is an amazing feeling for me and my country.

I hope Jordan is proud. I did this for them.” Ishaiash, who is considered relatively small for the +91kg division, adapted his technique superbly against the highly regarded the 25-year old, who has spent the past two years fighting professionally and won bronze at the European Championships last year.

Ishaiash will now face World No. 1 Tony Yoka in the quarter-finals on Tuesday after the Frenchman beat Laurent Clayton Jr from the Virgin Islands.

DEAD SEA — Khaled Juma’ on Friday was crowned champion of the third round of the Jordan National Rally Championship with the participation of only nine drivers.

With this win Juma’ and co-driver Imad Juma’ inched closer to securing the Jordan National Rally Championship title for the second year after winning it last year.

Juma’ clocked 55m54s, while Salameh Qamaz and co-driver Ahmed Zaidan came second clocking 56m54s, while Ahmed Shaban and co-driver Shadi Shaban came third with 1h02m04s.

Ihab Shurafa and co-driver Hazem Ateyat settled for fourth place with 1h14m17s and Basheer Azar and co-driver Mohammed Azarbeh came in fifth place with 1h14m24s.

Juma’ who reigned over five of the six special stages expressed his happiness of having this precious win saying: “It was a great challenge and a tough rally but we managed to step up during the key special stages and we managed to come in first place.”

The rally witnessed the retirement of Suhail Abu Roos due to mechanical issues while Ziad Meqdad retired due to a technicality in entering the fifth stage.

The only woman driver Lina Hadidi and co-driver Barkev Shadian settled in the seventh place with 1h15m39s. 

“We did our best but it was really challenging. The stages were hard but this is rallying and anything can happen,” Shadian said.

The rally held at the Dead Sea area consisted of six special stages (61km) with a total distance of 182.4km. Drivers had to pass through Bahath, Seyagha and Rama in sweltering heat.

AMMAN — Talita Baqlah has emulated the achievements of her younger brother by breaking a Jordan swimming record on Friday at the Olympic pool in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The 20-year old clocked 26.48 in heat six for the 50m freestyle, breaking her old mark of 26.57 set last month. She finished third in her heat but her time won’t be fast enough for her to advance to the semifinals.

It was a super swim from the youngster that matched the achievement of 17-year-old Khader who broke the 200m Jordan freestyle record on Sunday. “I am absolutely thrilled to bits,” said Talita, who is competing at her second Olympics having swam a then personal best of 27.45 seconds in London four years ago.

“I feel that this is a message to all the girls in Jordan that if you really want something you should go for it as your dreams can come true.” Talita’s time wasn’t quick enough to secure progress as a sub-25-second swim was required, but, like Khader, the Jordan gap has once again closed on the world’s fastest swimmers.

AMMAN — Obada Al Kesbeh has lost his fight at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but won over the fans with a brave attacking performance against Canada’s Arthur Biyarslanov in the 64kg light welterweight category, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Kesbeh chased southpaw Biyarslanov, known as the Chechen Wolf, about the ring for most of the fight, but lost on a unanimous verdict by the judges who went for more composed and defensive fighter.

“I am devastated to have lost, I wanted to win for everyone back in Jordan but it wasn’t to be. I am really upset as I felt I did well and landed more punches,” said the 22-year-old Kesbeh. “It was a very tough fight.

I had to step up a level but I thought I did enough. I would like to thank everyone back home for the support.” Kesbeh entered the ring full of confidence, moving to the music while his opponent was very composed and stern faced.

AMMAN — Week 3 of the Jordan Football Association (JFA) Shield kicks off on Friday after a week of surprises that changed standings especially in Group A.

Sahab moved atop Group A after a 5-1 win over Baqa’a while Faisali went down to second after they were held 0-0 with lowly Sarih with Jazira moving up to third after a 2-1 win over Hussein Irbid.

Wihdat took the lead atop Group B despite a 1-1 draw with Ahli in Group B as Ramtha climbed to second after they beat Shabab Urdun 2-1 while That Ras held Manshieh 0-0.

The upcoming week’s Group B matches will see Ahli face Shabab Urdun, That Ras take on Wihdat and Manshieh play Ramtha. That Ras need a win to stay in contention to the second round.

Group A will see Faisali play Jazira, Baqa’a face Hussein and Sahab take on Sarih. After Sahab won their first two matches and are firmly in command of Group A, Faisali also need to win to advance to round 2.

The first week saw Faisali beat Hussein 2-0 while Baqa’a beat Sarih and Sahab beat Jazira 2-1. On the other hand, Wihdat beat Manshieh 2-1, Ahli held Ramtha 0-0 and Shabab Urdun beat That Ras 2-0.

The top two from each group will move to the semis on September 5 and the winners advance to the final on September 16.

The season started with Ahli making history when they beat reigning Jordan Professional League champs Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup — the first major competition on the 2016/17 football calendar. The league will kick off on October 22 while the Jordan Cup preliminary round will kick off October 31 after the conclusion of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Last season, Wihdat won their third consecutive and 15th league title. Faisali beat league and Super Cup titleholders Wihdat 1-0 to clinch the Super Cup while it was Ahli who were the overall better team of the season. After years in the backstage, Ahli beat Shabab Urdun to win their first Jordan Cup title.

AMMAN — At just 20 years of age, Talita Baqlah is one of the more experienced athletes in the Team Jordan Rio delegation having competed at the Olympic Games in London four years ago, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

She was poolside on Sunday when her younger brother Khader smashed the Jordan record for the 200m freestyle and provided words of wisdom to ease her sibling’s nerves before he competed.

But on Friday (after 7pm Jordanian time) the mathematics student will be contending with nerves of her own as she bids to break the Jordan record for the 50m freestyle and make an impact of her own on the Rio Games.

She has come a long way from the shy 16-year-old who nervously competed in London, but a familiar face is by her side once again in Rio.

“We haven’t had a long time to prepare Talita for Rio but she has worked hard over the past month,” said coach Ali Al Nawaiseh who has worked with Talita over the past decade.

“She is obviously more mature and far more confident this time around than she was in London and she will have a good go at the Jordan record.”

That record of 26.57 seconds was set by Talita in Hungary last month, a result that secured her wild card entry at the Olympics. In comparison, the personal best she set in the pool in London was 27.45 seconds.

“I only knew I was coming to Rio a month ago so training has been stepped up over the last few weeks and since I got here,” said Talita. “I feel well prepared now. In London, I was nervous and afraid but here I am excited for the event. I am looking forward to the race.”

Talita’s Olympic experience has been invaluable in settling her bother, and other first time Olympians, into life in the Athletes’ Village.

“London was an awesome experience so to be able to do it all over again here in Rio de Janeiro has been amazing. But I am focussed on my race and want to try and set a new fastest time for Jordan and also improve my world ranking.”

Talita said that Khader’s achievement on Sunday has sparked a huge interest in the delegation back home in Jordan and says she has been overwhelmed by the messages of support.

“I think more people are following our progress here than we had in London which has been really nice,” she said. “The support is very much appreciated and I will try to do my best in the pool.”

Like her brother, qualification to the semifinals is an unrealistic proposition given the calibre of world swimming, and a time of sub-25 seconds would be required. The world record is an incredible 23.73 seconds.

But nevertheless, Khader and Talita’s times show that the sport is certainly heading in the right direction and catching up fast with the world’s best.

AMMAN — The third round of the Jordan National Rally Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of nine drivers.

The event will be headed by last year’s champion Khaled Juma, who won the first round and came fifth at the Jordan Rally, the third round of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).

Juma and co-driver Emad Juma clocked 47m28s in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 in the first round, followed by Salameh Qamaz and co-driver Ahmed Zeidan (50m16s) in their Mitsubishi Evo 5 and Basheer Azar and co-driver Mohammed Azarbeh (54m10s) in their Subaru Impreza.

The rally will witness the participation of one women driver, Lina Hadidi, who is joined by her co-driver veteran Barkev Shadian in their Subaru Impreza Sti.

“It will be great to compete in this round and improve my position. I have a great and very experienced co-driver beside me so it should be interesting. At the Jordan Rally I had to retire early due to mechanical issues in the suspension system but I have full faith in this round,” she said.

Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO told The Jordan Times that the rally would be a decisive event.

“All drivers feel the heat and this third round will be really crucial. The technical checkup will be held on Friday and Thursday will be a practice opportunity for drivers,” he said.

“The rally will start on Friday at 10am from the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan towards the Dead Sea and will consist of six special stages (61km) with a total distance of 182.4km,” he added.

Drivers will have to pass through Bahath, Seyagha and Rama, and head back to Amman for the awards ceremony.

AMMAN — Boxer Obada Al Kesbeh makes his 2016 Rio Olympic debut on Thursday knowing he has the ability to make his mark as one of his sport’s top fighters, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The 22-year-old faces Canada’s Arthur Biyarslanov in his opening bout in the 64kg light welterweight category following a gruelling build up that has put him in the best shape possible.

His opponent is only 21 and emigrated to Canada from Azerbaijan at the age of 10. He is the current Pan American Games champion.

But Kesbeh’s coach believes that if he enters the ring in the right frame of mind he can progress.

“Obada is a very hungry fighter and can adapt his style against any opponent,” said his Algerian head coach Azeddine Aggoune.

“He is a boxer with great ability but we have been working hard on his mental focus as well over the last few days to ensure he is ready.”

The young fighter finished fifth in the tough World Qualifying event in June where he came through bouts against boxers from across the globe.

Prior to arriving in Rio de Janeiro, he joined teammate Hussein Ishaiash, who fights on Saturday, for intensive training in Cuba.

“Cuba is well established as one of the best places for amateur boxing and the boys gained valuable sparring time with boxers of different styles from different parts of the world,” the coach added.

As for the boxer himself? Kesbeh is considered the live wire in the Jordan delegation. Always laughing and joking and rarely without a smile on his face. That will all change Thursday though when he steps in the ring.

“I have come here to win and God willing I will make Jordan proud of me,” he said. “I will do my best and throw everything into my first fight to try and get through for my country.”

Kesbeh fights in the morning session (Rio time), and should be entering the ring around 5.45pm Jordan time.

Kesbeh’s opponent

Biyarslanov was born in 1995 and is an amateur boxer from Canada also known as the Chechen Wolf. Biyarslanov’s family left Chechnya when he was four years old due to ongoing violence. He migrated to Toronto from Azerbaijan at age 10 and started boxing in 2007 after his brother recommended the sport for self-defence.

He won a gold medal in the men’s light welterweight category at the 2-15 Pan American Games.

Previously he has represented Canada at the 2012 Brandenburg International Tournament (bronze), 2012 Youth World Championships (Top 10) and 2013 Ukraine International Tournament (gold).