Prince Feisal praises Team Jordan efforts

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.