The men’s team podium in Amman (Photo: Mohammed Alhassani)
Bronze medallist on the 2018 ITTF World Junior Circuit, miles away from home in the Cook Islands, on Friday 13th August, Khaled Khader was the golden boy.
Playing on home soil at the Arab Championships in the state of the art facilities provided by the Al Ahliyya Amman University, the now 21 year old prevailed in the vital third contest in men’s team final against Egypt. He put Jordan on the road to victory.
After Zaid Abo Yaman had beaten Ahmed Nadim (12-10, 14-12, 11-13, 14-12) and Zayed Aldmaisy had lost to Mohamed Shouman (11-3, 13-11, 11-2); matters level, Khaled Khader withstood a spirited recovery by Mumen Al Awez to secure a dramatic five games win (11-6, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 13-11).
He brought national team colleagues and coaches in the stands to their feet.
Mohamed Shouman, who memorably at the 2011 ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals staged in January 2012 in Puerto Rico had come so close in his semi-final duel against Chinese Taipei’s Hung Hzu-Hsiang, losing a classic encounter (4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4, 11-13, 7-11, 14-12), returned to the fray. He beat Zaid Abo Yaman (7-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-4), to set the scene for Zayed Aldmaisy and Mumen Al Awez to decide the outcome.
Zayed Aldmaisy prevailed in four games (11-5, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7); Jordan celebrated.
Success for Jordan and very much a family affair; Taimma Abo Yaman and Yara Aldmaisy enjoyed success in the women’s team event.
Joining forces with Bara’a Al-Wedyan and Dana Al-Khateeb, in a group organised event, they finished ahead of Kuwait, who selected from Muna Al-Shammary, Maryam Abdulraheem, Shaika Al-Hamad, Shahd Al-Enazy and Fatima Abdulhussein.
In the remaining events, Iraq, the squad comprising Ameer Al-Nouamy, Giath Al-Fatlawy, Anwar Hameed and Abas Naser, secured the under 19 boys’ team title at the expense of Egypt’s Marwan Jamal, Kareem Subhy, Mohamed Waleed; a closely fought 3-2 win being the order in the final.
Defeat for Egypt but there was success, they claimed the under 15 boys’ team title.
In the final Egypt with Yaseen Wael, Bader Mustafa, Omsar Ihab on duty secured a 3-1 win against Qatar’s Khaled Al Yafeei, Yousef Mohamed and Obad Abdullah.
Runners up spot for Qatar, for the under 13 boys’ team event with Sweden’s Peter Karlsson sitting courtside in the coaching role, it was success for the squad comprising Sultan Al-Kawari, Rawad Al Naser, Ahmed Karny, Yousef Abdultaker and Mohamed Al Sality.
Tunisia, fielding Waseem Al Said, Yousef Al Aydaly, Yousef Kerfal and Ameer Al Said finished in the silver medal position, a 3-0 defeat being the outcome in the final.
Gold for Qatar, in the under 11 boys’ team event there was more gold. In a group organised competition with Muhamed Al-Sality, Abdul Azeez Al Abdullah, Hamad Al Sality, Rabee Al-Kawary and Issa Al Haded available for selection; first position was secured ahead of Tunisia’s Ameer Al Said and Ahmad Al-Saiedy.
Meanwhile, in the under 19 girls’ team event, in a group administered competition, Egypt with Rua Al Nagy, Farida Badawy and Alaa Yahia competing finished ahead of Bahrain’s Fatima Al-Ali, Maryam Al Ali and Amrita Ameet.
In the under 15 girls’ team event, Syria with Hend Zaza, Anata Kurdiya and Naya Suliman on duty struck gold, accounting for Egypt in the final. Egypt selected from Maryam Younis, Kenzi Fawzy, Nour Al Khaowly and Habiba Al Basoumy.
Runners up spot for Egypt, in the under 13 girls’ team competition it was success. In group organised event, Madeeha Al Mallah, Malak Kadry and Habiba Al Basumy finished ahead of Syria’s Hend Zaza, Sham Al Asad, Sulaf Mahmoud, July Daiub, Ebaa Hallak.