Tajikistani judoka refuses to shake hands with Israeli opponent at Paris Olympics, later withdraws over injury | July 31, 2024

Annonce:

Tajikistan judoka Nurali Emomali in the 66-kilogram event created a stir at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

Emomali faced off against Israel’s Baruch Shmailov in the round of 16 in Pool B of the tournament. He refused to shake Shmailov’s hand after his win, according to Ynet News. He was allegedly heard yelling “Allah Akbar” toward his Israeli opponent as well.

Emomali went on to square off against Japan’s Hifumi Abe in the quarterfinals. But Emomali went down with a left arm injury as he tried to brace his fall and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.

Serbia’s Strahinja Bunčić advanced in the repechage portion of the event via walkover.

Abe went on to defeat Brazil’s Willian Lima in the final to secure his second gold medal in the event. Lima secured a silver medal – the first Olympic medal of his career. Kazakhstan’s Gusman Kyrgyzbayev and Moldova’s Denis Vieru each finished with bronze medals.