Egyptian Judo Fighter Refuses to Shake Hand of Winning Israeli Opponent

Image by Getty Images

By Maia Efrem August 12, 2016

Egyptian judo fighter Islam El Shehaby was met with loud boos and jeers after refusing to bow or shake the hand of the Israeli fighter who bested him at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Or Sasson, Israel’s fifth-ranked fighter, beat El Shehaby with two throws in the first-round for an automatic victory, with a minute and a half remaining in the bout.

#Israel Sasson beats Egyptian Islam El Shehaby in 1st rnd #judo event. Egyptian then refuses to shake his hand. pic.twitter.com/WRQ1Gpd29m

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— Stanislaw (@stas8t) August 12, 2016

El Shehaby lay on his back for a moment before standing up and facing Sasson in front of the referee. As per custom, Sasson can be seen bowing to the Egyptian judoka but El Shehaby did not return that honor.

Image by Getty Images

I’ve never heard of Or Sasson, but I’m his new No.1 fan. Egyptian judoka refuses to shake hands with Israeli. https://t.co/XzP1SC72FE

— Jonathan Poulton (@JonMP66) August 12, 2016

I’m baffled for these Mid-Eastern vs Israeli judoka’s can’t respect the sport or its philosophy. You will show respect. I am a Judoka. #judo

— Daniel Lindholm (@dropkickmonk3y) August 12, 2016

CBS News reports that in an email to the publication, International Judo Federation spokesman, Nicolas Messner, said the fight between the two countries was a major sign of progress. “This is already a big improvement that Arabic countries accept to (fight) Israel” and that though there is no duty to shake hands, a bow is customary.

Commenting further, Messner told CBS News that though El Shehaby ultimately bowed, “his attitude will be reviewed after the games to see if any further action should be taken.”

Sasson, who shares photos of his training and his time in Rio, made the semifinals after beating a Dutch rival Roy Meyer in the men’s 100 kilogram plus weight class.

With the rings. The olympic village. Rio, Brazil.

A photo posted by Sasson Ori (@ori_sasson) on Aug 9, 2016 at 5:09am PDT

All the way

A photo posted by Sasson Ori (@ori_sasson) on May 16, 2016 at 1:17pm PDT

תמיד הרגשתי גאווה לייצג את מדינת ישראל שלנו. עכשיו כשהאולימפיאדה מתקרבת.. זה מתגבר ומתגבר !

A photo posted by Sasson Ori (@ori_sasson) on Jun 2, 2016 at 7:50am PDT

Maia Efrem is the former research editor and assistant to the editor and was also responsible for the Forward’s annual Salary Survey. Previously she served as the editor of Blognik Beat, a blog written by students who emigrated from or have ties to the Former Soviet Union. Maia is a graduate of Hunter College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

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