Zaid Kareem

Zaid Kareem, born 19 June 2001, is a Jordanian Taekwondo athlete and Olympic silver medalist, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport's modern era. Raised in Amman, Jordan, Kareem’s taekwondo journey began in childhood when his parents recognized his high energy and enrolled him in a local club. What started as a youthful activity quickly became a deep passion and lifelong pursuit.

Kareem’s competitive career began in 2015. By 2018, he earned a bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. His rise continued with bronze and silver medals at the 2021 and 2022 Asian Championships. In 2022, he became the first Jordanian to top the world rankings and won gold at the Grand Prix Final in Riyadh, also reaching the World Championship quarter-finals.

In 2023, after a key qualifying match in Amman against a top-ranked Korean opponent, Kareem secured his place at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, becoming the first Jordanian Taekwondo player in history to directly qualify to the Olympics by ranking (Top 5 in the World). In Paris, he continued to make history when he defeated Britain's Bradly Sinden in the semi-final and won silver in the 68 kg category, becoming the first Jordanian to earn Olympic medals at both youth and senior levels.

He trains twice a day - taekwondo in the morning and fitness in the evening - with a level of discipline that sets him apart from other athletes. His focus, consistency, and drive to improve are unmatched.

His sights are firmly set on gold at the World Championships and LA28, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a desire to raise the standard of Arab athletes on the world stage.