Syrian boxer Ahmad Ghousoon carries his nation's flag during the opening ceremony. CHINA DAILY
Athletes from war-torn nation overcome major difficulties back home to do themselves proud in Hangzhou
For athletes from war-torn Syria, simply participating in an international sporting event is a triumph in itself, no matter how they perform.
Due to the conflict in their homeland, Syrian high jumper Majd Eddin Ghazal and boxer Ahmad Ghousoon have had to overcome huge obstacles in their preparations for the 19th Asiad. Their persistence and determination to succeed against all the odds exemplifies the spirit of the Games.
The 36-year-old Ghazal is a veteran of four Olympics and four Asian Games, winning high jump bronze at the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta.
Syrian high jumper Majd Eddin Ghazal clears the bar. CHINA DAILY
"I first came to the Asian Games for the 2010 Guangzhou edition. This is my fourth Asian Games and the last Asian Games for me," Ghazal said after finishing a very respectable sixth on Wednesday night at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
Ghazal was raised in an athletic family. His father was a footballer and is a former head coach of the Syrian national team.
After choosing to focus on high jump in 2006, Ghazal excelled in the sport and was chosen as Syria's flag-bearer for two opening ceremonies, at the Olympics in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Living in Damascus, he has encountered numerous problems obtaining visas following the conflict that began there in 2011, forcing him to miss several major international competitions. He had to regularly go to Beirut, Lebanon, in order to travel because there are no international flights out of Syria.
"I'm an expert in embassies, where they are, their addresses, when they open, when they close, what documents you need for a visa. I'm an administrative expert in this subject. Everyone is surprised when I say I still train and live in Syria," said Ghazal.
Despite these issues, Ghazal said he will continue to contribute to high jump in his nation — either as an athlete or as an educator.
"You know, I'm already 36. I will see how my body is bearing up. If everything is OK and I'm healthy, maybe I'll continue to Paris (2024 Olympics). If not, I'm going to start working with young people in the sport, to cultivate the younger generation in Syria," he said.
Ahmad Ghousoon in action in his semifinal bout. CHINA DAILY
In the boxing ring, Ahmad Ghousoon claimed a hard-fought bronze in the — 80kg category, Syria's only medal in Hangzhou as of Friday afternoon.
He lost to Eumir Felix Marcial of the Philippines in the semifinals at Hangzhou Gymnasium on Wednesday, but simply making it that far was a truly remarkable achievement considering his lack of international bouts in recent years.
"We lack matchups against boxers from other countries. All the other countries were able to have shared training camps, except for Syria. No country would take us. But we are thankful because we are relying on our own expertise to fight," he said.
"We are doing our best here. Our team consists of only three players. Apart from me, one withdrew in the preliminary round and the other, my older brother Alaa, sustained an injury that prevented him from competing."
Path to Paris
Still massively ambitious despite the obstacles he faces, Ghousoon struggled to hide his disappointment about the semifinal result, especially considering the gold and silver medalists are guaranteed spots at next summer's Paris Olympics.
"I had my hopes up about winning this one. I had a strategy in mind, thoroughly planned with my coaches, where I was supposed to apply six movements while fighting my opponent. I managed to apply three or four of them, and everything was going well," said Ghousoon.
"But he (Felix Marcial) is a very good boxer. I'm thankful anyway. Hopefully, we will get another chance to get to the Olympics."
Ghousoon started boxing in 2007, with his father Hussein serving as his coach — just as he did for all his sons.
"I used to see my father Hussein Ghossoun training my brothers, and later I joined them. As we trained at home and outdoors, I was impressed by their movements, and I watched the progress of my brother Somar and his success, and this grew my desire to win and become a hero like him," Ahmad recalled.
Just as he has done throughout his career, dad Hussein was ringside in Hangzhou to support and encourage his son.
"My love for boxing made me who I am at a very young age. I started from nothing. There were no clubs for me to join at the time, so I started on the streets, fought since 1975, up until I retired in 1989, when I became a coach," said Hussein.
Both father and son were keen to pay special tribute to the local fans who cheered on Syria's medal bid at Hangzhou Gymnasium.
"We thank the people of China for cheering for us as we go every step of the way. We also really appreciate all the well wishes we've been receiving," said Ahmad.
"We are thankful to the people of China, who made us feel at home with their love and support," Hussein said.
With a strategic partnership between China and Syria established on Sept 22, the two nations are expecting closer ties and further bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was also present at the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. This is Assad's second visit to China since he took office as president in 2000. His last trip to the country was in 2004.
