Competitions in the 20th edition of the Asian Games, hosted by the Japanese city of Nagoya, opened yesterday, Saturday, and continue through the 4th of next month.
اضافة اعلان
The Jordanian flag flew high during the opening ceremony held at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Stadium, amid an enthusiastic atmosphere in the stands.
The Jordanian flag was carried by karate national team stars Abdulrahman Al-Masatfeh and Joud Al-Duroos.
Jordan is taking part in this edition alongside 44 countries, represented by more than 10,000 athletes.
Jordan enters this continental gathering with high ambitions, seeking to reach the podium across 15 sports: gymnastics, triathlon, equestrian, weightlifting, tennis, jiu-jitsu, karate, taekwondo, mixed martial arts, sport climbing, squash, esports, boxing, cycling, and fencing, while basketball has already concluded its participation in the competitions.
At the Asian Games level, Jordan holds 54 medals, comprising 5 gold, 21 silver, and 28 bronze, since its first participation in Seoul in 1986.
The national karate team begins its participation today, Sunday, with national team athlete Yara Nasser starting her campaign in the over-68kg category, facing Nepalese athlete Erica Gurung in the quarter-final round.
Abdullah Hammad also begins his participation in the under-60kg category, facing Japanese athlete Hiromu Hashimoto in the round of 32.
The national team's participation continues tomorrow, Monday, through Nourallah Nasser, Joud Al-Duroos, and Abdulrahman Al-Masatfeh, while Mohammad Al-Jaafari closes out the team's participation in karate competitions on Tuesday.
The national team looks forward to continuing its strong form across various competitions, and confirming its distinguished presence at the Asian Games, having previously won 14 medals throughout its history of participation in the Games, comprising one gold, 4 silver, and 9 bronze medals.
In the previous edition, hosted by the Chinese city of Hangzhou in 2023, the national team won five medals, including two silver medals through Abdulrahman Al-Masatfeh and Hassan Masarwa, and three bronze medals through Mohammad Al-Jaafari, Abdullah Hammad, and Joud Al-Duroos.
Separately, the draw for the mixed martial arts competitions was held yesterday morning, with national mixed martial arts team athlete Raad Al-Najjar representing Jordan in the under-77kg category in the traditional style.
Al-Najjar begins his campaign in the Games today, Sunday, from the quarter-final round, facing Kyrgyzstani athlete Zhanybek Uulu.
Al-Najjar is guaranteed a medal in the competition should he win his quarter-final match and advance to the semi-finals.
Separately, athlete Lydia Musleh competes today, Sunday, in the triathlon competition.
Lydia is taking part in the medium-distance race, which includes a 750-meter open-water swim, a 20km cycling leg, and a 5km run.
Lydia has completed her preparations under the guidance of coach Abdelaziz Al-Shuaibi, and hopes to compete for a good finish, and to accumulate as many points as possible with the goal of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Resource: Al Ghad.
