TAEKWONDO HUNT FOR ASHGABAT 2017 MEDALS

 Jordan is sending a strong team to hunt for medals at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games that will be held in Turkmenistan from September 17-27.

Fifteen players have been named comprising a mixture of experience and up and coming talent and they will be guided by Olympic coach Faris Al Assaf along with Nabeel Talal and Laith Othman.

Al Assaf was at Ahmad Abu Ghaush’s side when he won gold at last summer’s Olympic Games, and believes the squad for Ashgabat can replicate gold in Central Asia next month.

“We are training twice daily,” said Al Assaf, who will be without his star asset Abu Ghaush in Ashgabat.

“The morning training is about fitness and endurance, where the second one at night is about tactics and strategies.

“Some of the team is very young and inexperienced and aged from 17-19 years old, so this tournament is an investment in their future and what better way to make their mark than by doing well? “Jordan is used to getting fighters on the podium and it should be no different in Turkmenistan where they will all fight to win.”

The squad will remain together after Ashgabat to compete in the International Palestine Championship followed by competitions in Croatia and Belarus.

Jordan is sending its biggest ever delegation to an Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games with more than 100 athletes competing in 13 sports including 3x3 Basketball, Ju Jitsu, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Billiards and Snooker, Muaythai, Weightlifting, Indoor Athletics, Kickboxing, Swimming, Futsal, Chess and eSport.