Tokyo Flies Israeli Flag after Israel Wins Gold Medal in Judo World Championships

Emily Jones : Aug 29, 2019
CBN News

"Sports can bring out the very best. Sadly, it can also remind us how far we have to go. Congrats to Israel's Sagi Muki on becoming the World Judo Champion. Condolences to Mohamed Abdelaal who lost 2x today—once as an athlete and once as a decent person." -Jason Greenblatt, the Trump administration's Special Representative for International Negotiations

(Jerusalem, Israel) — [CBN News] Israel's Sagi Muki took home the gold medal at the Judo World Championships in Tokyo on Wednesday, making him the first Israeli man to achieve such an honor. (Image: via CBN News)

Muki became the world champion after defeating Belgian fighter Matthias Casse in the men's under 81 kg (178.5 pounds) division.

After his win, an emotional Muki fell to the ground and then stood up with arms wide as the crowd cheered on.

The young fighter stood on the winners' podium and sang along to the Hatikva, Israel's national anthem. Many Israelis in the audience sang along.

Muki had to defeat six opponents to come out on top, including rival Egyptian fighter Mohamed Abdelaal, who refused to shake Muki's hand after losing to him.

Refusing to shake your opponent's hand after a Judo match is a sign of great disrespect. This is not the first time another Middle Eastern competitor has refused to shake an Israeli opponent's hand.

Jason Greenblatt, the Trump administration's Special Representative for International Negotiations, condemned Abdelaal after the incident.

"Sports can bring out the very best. Sadly, it can also remind us how far we have to go. Congrats to Israel's Sagi Muki on becoming the World Judo Champion. Condolences to Mohamed Abdelaal who lost 2x today—once as an athlete and once as a decent person," Greenblatt wrote on Twitter. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here