Amman, Sept. 6 (Petra) -- A series of medals, top-10 rankings and championship qualifications is strengthening Jordan’s presence in international individual sports, with athletes making gains across taekwondo, Muay Thai and equestrian events.

Taekwondo has emerged as a standout performer, with six Jordanians currently ranked among the world’s top 10, while recent international competitions have brought the Kingdom world and international titles.

Fadia Kharfan leads the global rankings and stands second in the Olympic rankings, while Jaafar Al-Dawood is ranked third globally and second in the Olympic standings. Razan Al-Rawashdeh holds second place globally and eighth in the Olympic rankings.

Zaid Kareem is second in the world, while Zaid Al-Halawani and Mohammad Al-Adarbeh are ranked seventh and eighth, respectively.

Kharfan added a major title to Jordan’s recent record by winning gold at the Women’s World Championships, becoming the first Jordanian woman to capture a world championship gold medal. Al-Rawashdeh also secured gold at the China Open, where Rama Abu Al-Rub claimed bronze.

Jordanian athletes have recorded results in other combat sports as well. Omar Awad advanced to the semifinals of the Senior Muay Thai World Championships in Kosovo, guaranteeing himself a medal in the under-67kg division.

Kickboxing, meanwhile, is showing depth at the domestic level. The Kingdom Youth Kickboxing Championship drew 376 athletes from 31 clubs and centers, with competitors contesting 377 bouts over three days.

Jordan has also made strides in equestrian sport. Rider Ibrahim Bisharat qualified for the individual final at the World Equestrian Championships in Aachen, Germany, placing among the top 25 from a field of 145 riders.

Sports experts told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the results point to progress in athlete preparation and a greater ability to compete at major international events. Sustaining those gains, they said, will depend on long-term development programs, regular exposure to international competition and continued investment in identifying and developing young talent.

Kharfan said her world title was particularly significant because of the caliber of competitors she faced, including athletes with Olympic experience.

She said competing against leading international athletes provided valuable experience and reinforced her confidence that Jordanian competitors can challenge at the highest level.

Kharfan credited sustained preparation and support from the Jordan Taekwondo Federation, the Jordan Olympic Committee and the national team’s technical staff for her progress, saying her next major objective is to reach the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and compete for gold.

Bisharat said his qualification for the individual final in Aachen demonstrated that Jordanian riders are capable of reaching the top tier of international competition.

Building on such results, he said, requires a comprehensive development system that identifies promising riders early and provides continuous training, international competition and adequate support for riders, horses and coaches.

He added that competing at major championships requires more than technical skill, with experience, the ability to handle pressure and decision-making at critical moments playing an equally important role.

National taekwondo coach Fares Al-Assaf attributed Jordan’s six top-10 world rankings to sustained preparation and a structured athlete-development system.

Training camps and international competitions supported by the Jordan Olympic Committee and Jordan Taekwondo Federation have played a key role in raising athletes’ competitive levels, he said, stressing that continued investment will be essential to maintain the momentum ahead of major championships and future Olympic events.

Sports specialist Maimouna Salamin said the recent results demonstrate the importance of combining talent development with regular international exposure.

She called for continued support for promising athletes, more international competitions and training camps, and long-term programs designed to sustain results and expand Jordan’s pool of internationally competitive athletes.

The Jordan Olympic Committee is also running awareness programs for athletes, coaches and referees aimed at promoting integrity, fair competition and compliance with sporting rules as part of efforts to strengthen the broader competitive environment.

With Jordanian athletes now combining world titles, high international rankings and appearances in the final stages of major championships, experts say maintaining a consistent development pathway will be key to turning recent successes into a sustained presence on the global sporting stage.

//Petra// RZ

06/09/2026 11:58:41