Samer Kamal

**Samer Kamal** is a Jordanian athlete. He won the bronze medal in Taekwondo (a form of martial arts) in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He was the first Jordanian athlete to get a medal for Jordan in the Olympics in Seoul. This gave many Jordanians pride in this achievement during the 1980s.

Samer Kamal holds 9th Dan Chung Do Kawan in 2017 and 9th Dan Kukkiwon Black Belt in Taekwondo in 2022 a 1st Class international referee since 1997 and an international trainer since 1990. He was given the Independence Badge of Honor (4th Degree) by His Majesty the late King Hussein Ben Talal in 1988 and was chosen seventh best Jordanian athlete for the century in 1999.

## Education

Samer pursued his undergraduate higher education in Business Administration and Philosophy from the University of Jordan. He then received a graduate degree in Management Science from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland.

## Taekwondo Refereeing & Arbitration

• 1st Class World Taekwondo Federation International Referee since 1999
• WTF International Referee since 1989
• Chairman of the Arab Referee Committee from the year 1997 until 1999
• Chairman of the Jordanian Referee Committee for the years 91,92,94,96, and 97

## Professional career

Samer began his sports career as a marketing manager at a Jordanian-based sports marketing company. He took the experience he gained there to Qatar where he became a general manager. He was responsible for the starting a sports marketing company with the purpose of promoting sports in Jordan and the region. Soon after, Samer decided to start his own sports marketing company “SportUp Jordan” to promote local athletes. Within a year, he was able to get sponsors for champion Jordanian athletes. He started the largest and only bilingual online sports business. He made an attractive product that was acquired by Maktoob Inc., an Arabic internet service provider.

His sports experience let him expand internationally. Samer was named the director of business development at Right To Play in Canada, that uses sport programs to help children who live in poverty and disadvantage communities to play sports and games. He helped raise funds to the organization.

Staying active in Taekwondo, Samer opened Champions Taekwondo Center in the year 1990, his first Taekwondo school in Jordan.

The year 2012 was the year Samer has gotten his 8th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. 2012 also marked the opening of Champions Martial Arts Taekwondo Center in Mississauga, Canada. A few years after, another 3 branches were open Mississauga, Oakville and Stoney Creek, Canada.

With all his experiences, discipline, leadership and practice, today Samer has help developed Taekwondo and martial arts in the world and has promoted more than 2000 black belt students worldwide.

## Author Book: The Grand Master Inspiring Generations

On September 1, 2025, The release of his highly anticipated book, _The Grand Master – Inspiring Generations_. Now available worldwide on Amazon in both paperback and eBook formats, the book offers an intimate look into the life, challenges, and triumphs of a global Taekwondo icon.

Drawing from his journey, from winning an Olympic medal at the 1988 Seoul Games to founding Champions Martial Arts in Canada. Kamal shares powerful lessons on perseverance, discipline, and the spirit of leadership. His story transcends sports, aiming to inspire youth, athletes, and anyone striving for success in life.

### _"The Grand Master – Inspiring Generations"_ book highlights:

- Behind-the-scenes insights from the Olympic journey.
- The evolution of Taekwondo from traditional roots to modern sport.
- The founding and growth of Champions Martial Arts into an international community.
- Life lessons on resilience, leadership, and inspiring future generations.

## Community activities

Other than at work, Samer is active in many sports communities. In 2009, he was named an executive board member of the World Olympians Association (WOA). In November 2011, Samer become president of Asian Olympians Association (AOA).

Samer is currently the president of the Arab Canadian Sports Association (ACSA)

## Championship competitions

Samer Kamal competed in the following International Taekwondo Championships:
|Event|Location|Year|Medal|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Asia Taekwondo Championships|Singapore|1982||
|World Taekwondo Championships|Copenhagen, Denmark|1983||
|Asia Taekwondo Championships|Manila, Philippines|1984||
|Asia Championships|Australia|1986|Bronze Medalist|
|World Cup Championships|Colorado, USA|1986||
|Asian Games|Seoul, Korea|1986|Silver Medalist|
|World University Championships|USA|1986|Silver Medalist|
|Belgium International Championships|Belgium|1987|Bronze Medalist|
|Belgium International Championships|Belgium|1988||
|Olympic Games|Seoul, Korea|1988|Bronze Medalist|
|Luxembourg International Championships|Luxembourg|1988|Gold Medalist|
|Belgium International Championships|Belgium|1989||
|World Games|Germany|1989||
|World Championships|Seoul, Korea|1989||