Jordanian taekwondo trailblazer Julyana Al-Sadeq: “Girls can wear a hijab and fight”
The Asian Games champion made history by becoming the first Jordanian and Arab woman to top the World Taekwondo rankings following a series of strong performances in 2022.
For Julyana Al-Sadeq being a taekwondoin is something much bigger than her.
It allows her to become an inspiration to both Arab and Muslim women worldwide.
As a young girl growing up in the Middle East, she faced criticism and scrutiny for being a woman in sports, but her family's support and determination to excel in a discipline not commonly practised by Arab women propelled her to the top of the world rankings.
Al Sadeq, an Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holder for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, made history by becoming the first Jordanian and Arab woman to be ranked No. 1 f following her impressive victory at the Saudi Grand Prix in December last year.
Her rise to the top, which boosted her chances of qualifying for her second Games, is encouraging the next generation of Muslim women who aspire to become fighters.
“I believe that God put me in this place to break the stereotype, to show all societies that girls can play a combat sport, girls can wear a hijab and fight,” the two-time Asian gold medallist told Olympics.com from Amman.
“Girls can inspire other girls to take the step and follow their dream, to practise the sport they love, not just taekwondo.”
Julyana Al-Sadeq: Challenging gender norms
Julyana Al-Sadeq’s name may not have been well-known, but her face was definitely familiar.
At her first Olympics in Tokyo 2020 in 2021, Al-Sadeq’s photo went viral for her perceived resemblance to American musician Lady Gaga. The likeness, though flattering, gained her traction online and followers on her social media platforms. Not the kind of attention the Jordanian athlete sought at her debut Olympic Games, where she reached the round of 16.
Despite the unexpected attention, Al-Sadeq is not stranger to the spotlight. Having been coached by her dad alongside her brothers, she faced even greater criticism.
“I grew up in an athletic family, where all of us practiced taekwondo. In the beginning, I used to receive criticism from people for the fact that I’m a female who plays a combat sport,” the 28-year-old recalled.
“The criticism was because I look quite girly, ‘it was always you look too soft how can you be a taekwondoka?’”
Inspired by her older brother Yazan Al Sadeq’s success at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, her passion for taekwondo grew more intense, and she even dropped gymnastics, which she’d practised in her early childhood.
Julyan Al-Sadeq: Walking away from taekwondo
Rio 2016 Olympics seemed like a realistic goal for Julyana.
However, she failed to qualify for the Games, where Ahmad Abughaush won gold in the men's 68 kg tournament, Jordan’s first-ever Olympic medal.
Al-Sadeq was convinced that her dream had been denied and not just postponed.
The critics looked like they were right: she was in the wrong sport.
“I was broken after losing my chance to qualify. I walked away from taekwondo during that period.” -Julyana Al- Sadeq on her near retirement.
After a few months, she found the courage to return to the dojo seeking to “redefine herself as a fighter”.
“This period drained me,” the reigning Asian champion admitted.
“When I got back, I wasn’t in shape physically and mentally. I had problems with my thyroid hormones, ankle injuries, and my self-esteem was low.”
“After my down period, it needed a lot of accumulative work, and most of it was mental, not just physical. I needed to work on myself mentally, to study and learn fighting techniques not just from my weight division, but from all taekwondo athletes I had crossed and watched during my career,” she said.
“I remember reading about Simone Biles, who didn’t compete in some of Tokyo 2020 events because she didn’t feel mentally prepared, and this gave me a sign to continue working on my mental health, because I didn’t want to end up there at some point.”
Julyana Al-Sadeq on creating history
The 28-year-old's journey to rediscover her old form received a significant boost with the help of sports psychologist Dr. Saeed Al Karmi.
Overcoming her setbacks wasn't easy, but the 2018 Asian Games champion managed to do it slowly.
“This paid off in the ring, I was able to be more in control, to be faster, and to silence my fears with success.”
“We set a goal to lead in the Asian ranking, I already had a silver medal at the Asian Championships, however, I got motivated when I got an Asian gold. It gave me a push mentally for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” said Al Sadeq who was also her country’s flag bearer at her debut Games.
Her remarkable performance at the 2022 Riyadh Grand Prix season finale, where she defeated double Olympic bronze medallist Ruth Gbagbi of Cote d’Ivoire and China’s 2017 world champion Mengyu Zhang, earned her the top spot in the women’s - 67kg class.
“In Riyadh, I fought with one aim – getting direct qualification for Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It was a long-time goal turned into an achievement,” she explained as a smile crept across her face.
“I always try to work on the weak points of my contenders, I like to surprise them with a back or spinning kick when they least anticipate it."
“What also gave me the push was that the final was set on my birthday, so I had to give it my all.”
Currently ranked as the now world number two, Julyana can visualise herself stepping onto the Olympic mat again at the Grand Palais, the taekwondo venue at Paris 2024..
The prospect of inspiring young girls who will be watching her on TV excites her, especially if she manages to clinch a medal.
“I aim to have an Olympic gold under my name, this is my goal, not just a dream. Knowing many young girls see me as a role model gives me the responsibility to open the way for them, to break the stereotype and do more of what they love.”
Her determination to challenge gender norms and disrupt stereotypes about Arab women in combat sport is sets Al-Sadeq apart as an all-round champion.