Julyana Al Sadeq: in her hijab, proudly fighting to inspire athletes, fans worldwide
A trailblazer and inspiration for people from near and far
Some athletes shy away from being a role model. Julyana Al Sadeq embraces the notion of being an inspiration to Arab and Muslim girls and women. And beyond. “I believe my story can inspire athletes and Olympic fans worldwide,” she says.
An Olympic Solidarity scholarship holder for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Al Sadeq has already written herself into history: flag-bearer for the Jordanian team at the 2020 Tokyo Games and breaker of stereotypes. A taekwondo athlete, she fights in a hijab.
“Yes, for sure, I am proud to be an Arab athlete with a hijab,” she says. “Our community, they sometimes think the girls can’t compete in a sport like this. I really face those thoughts from people in our community and prove to them that we can, we can stand at the top of the world …
Everyone in Jordan asks me about this: you compete in a hijab? It [is]my identity. I am so proud and happy to be at the top of the world in my hijab.
In Jordan, the Al Sadeq family and taekwondo are synonymous. Julyana, along with her brothers, has been coached by their father, Fuad. Older brother Yazan is a bronze medalist at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Younger brother Anas competed at last year’s world championships. “Proud sister,” she says.
Julyana thought she was bound for Rio 2016. But she did not qualify. She re-set, then came back to taekwondo.
During these pre-Tokyo years, she says, even then having an Olympic Solidarity scholarship made a huge difference:
“I have always dreamed of competing on the Olympic stage."
When I discovered the Olympic Solidarity programme, I knew it was a perfect opportunity to turn that dream into a reality. This programme is a game-changer for me, providing financial support.
“It has allowed me to focus on my training without the added stress of financial burdens. It has greatly enhanced my skills and performance to be stronger and more confident, to be more determined and more disciplined in the sport.”
At Tokyo, she went out in the first round. Not what she had hoped for. Looking back, she says now, “I’m glad for the experience itself.”
Since, she has been at or near the top of the world. In December 2022, after her victory at the Saudi Grand Prix, she became the first Jordanian and Arab woman to top the World Taekwondo rankings. Heading to Paris, she ranks number two, a silver medallist at the 2023 world championships in the women’s 67-kilogram class.
To be an Olympic Scholarship holder still – now, amid years of sustained success, heading toward a second Games – holds a different but special meaning, she says:
“I’ve been a passionate athlete and I want to compete and I want to be on top of the world … it has added a lot for me. Every equipment I want to buy, I don’t think about it – I buy!”
In Paris, she will have qualified as one of the top players in the world: “I worked hard to achieve that goal.”
She knows she will be in the spotlight. She welcomes it: “It’s an honor for me to be recognized for challenging gender norms in combat sports.”
Too, Paris will offer Julyana Al Sadeq the chance to give back to those who believed in her, like Olympic Solidarity, all along.
“I really feel like if they believed in me – so should I believe in myself. So, I want to compete and prove to them, and to myself, prove to the world I deserve that programme, and everything they give me.”