Taekwondo fighter Ahmad Abughaush has made Jordanian history at the Rio 2016 Olympics, though he was considered an underdog at the start of the competition.

Abughaush won Jordan's first-ever Olympic medal since it joined the games in 1980, a gold.

Placing first in the 68-kilogram category, he is also the first taekwondo athlete in the Arab world to win gold, and only the third to win any medal.

With the odds stacked against him, Abughaush made it through Rio 2016 unscathed. Here is what he overcame en route to his historic win.

1. Rio 2016 marked his first Olympic participation

The 2012 World Youth champion qualified to the 2016 Olympics by winning the Asian Qualifiers.

2. He was the youngest competitor in his weight class

Source: Facebook/AhmadAbuGhaush
Source: Facebook/AhmadAbuGhaush

At the tender age of 20, Abughaush already has a place in history.

3. Ranking  25th in the world

And 10th out of the 16 competitors in his category.

4. He faced the world's second best in the quarterfinals

Abughaush slickly maneuvred past the 2012 Olympic silver medalist, who happens to be from the country where Taekwondo originates.

5. Then took on the 2012 London Olympic champion in the semis

Yet he managed a 5-point difference.

6. And fought the world number one for the gold

Abughaush upset the Russian world best, beating him 10-6 in the gold medal match.

"The first Olympic medal in Jordan's history is here. [I'm doing this] not just for myself, but for Jordan," he told beIN Sports before the final bout. "God willing [the medal] will be gold, so we can hear Al Salam Al Malaki Al Urduni (Jordanian national anthem)."