خلف الميداليات…قصة إنسانة | Julyana Alsadeq | TEDxUniversityofJordan

Quick Overview

The speaker, Jordanian Taekwondo athlete Julyana Alsadeq, recounts her journey from childhood doubts fueled by societal pressure regarding her hijab and sport participation to achieving significant success, including winning a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2018 and qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, ultimately proving that mental strength cultivated through perseverance can overcome perceived limitations.

Key Points: The speaker, Julyana Alsadeq, started Taekwondo from her father and brother's encouragement, initially living the sport's details from the heart of determination, overcoming doubt and fear. She experienced significant external pressure and scrutiny, including questions about playing Taekwondo while wearing a hijab, which she initially could not answer. Despite having an injury (broken wrist in 2019) and mental hurdles, she resolved to continue her training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Alsadeq won a gold medal in Taekwondo at the 2018 Asian Games, one of several medals she achieved before this, which boosted her self-confidence. She emphasizes that strength is not innate but grows with every step taken, noting that mental strength is key, especially when the physical body fails. The speaker qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, solidifying her success despite facing societal expectations that her path was impossible. Her core message is that perseverance creates miracles, and one must not let external doubts or internal struggles stop them from pursuing their goals.

Context: This TEDx talk is a personal story delivered by Julyana Alsadeq, a Jordanian Taekwondo athlete. The presentation centers on her struggle to reconcile her commitment to a demanding sport like Taekwondo with societal expectations, particularly concerning her religious attire (hijab). She discusses the internal and external battles she faced—from physical injuries to psychological doubts cast by others—and how her resilience and mental fortitude ultimately led her to major international achievements, including Asian Games gold and Olympic qualification.