Hobbies
Swimming, reading, watching films, spending time with friends. (Facebook profile, 17 Jun 2023)
Occupation
Athlete, Coach, Personal Trainer, Student
Education
Physical Education - University of Jordan: Amman, JOR
Spoken languages
Arabic, English
Coach
Gurgen Sirekanian [national], ARM
Start sporting career
He took up gymnastics at age four.
Reason for taking up the sport
"My beginning in gymnastics was by accident. My father noticed my gymnastics talent when I was four years old. I was hyperactive and I loved jumping in the air and walking on both hands. It was a hobby and now it runs in my blood."
Milestones
He became the first artistic gymnast representing Jordan to win a medal at the world championships when he claimed silver on pommel horse at the 2022 edition of the tournament in Liverpool, England. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Nov 2022; olympics.com, 05 Nov 2022)
Most influential person in career
Coach Gurgen Sirekanian. (straitstimes.com, 18 Jun 2023)
Philosophy / Motto
"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." (Facebook page, 04 Oct 2018)
Awards
He and sprinter Aliya Boshnak were flag bearers for Jordan at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, Turkey. (Jordan Gymnastics Federation Facebook page, 09 Aug 2022, 08 Aug 2022)
Additional information
RETIREMENT THOUGHTS
In 2015 he considered quitting the sport as he felt he lacked the ability to compete at the highest level. He credits coach Gurgen Sirekanian with encouraging him to persevere in the sport, and he won his first major international medal [gold in pommel horse] at the 2019 Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. "[Sirekanian] told me how to focus on my training because I was very distracted. A lot of people said I was a loser, I can't do it. But I never let that affect me and always took that as motivation. I kept doing badly in competitions until 2019. Imagine being in gymnastics for 15 years without medals, it was very difficult to stay. But with discipline, I got the first gold medal at the Asian championships in Mongolia and that was the big key to starting my journey. Everything changed, I started to believe in myself." (straitstimes.com, 18 Jun 2023)
FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for a master's degree in sports science. (straitstimes.com, 18 Jun 2023; aipsmedia.com, 15 Aug 2022)
Last update : 2024-07-22
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