A judo athlete from Tajikistan experienced swift ‘karma’ after he declined to shake hands with his Israeli contender during the Olympics on Sunday.
The participation of Israeli athletes has faced protests at various events since the start of Israel’s military operations in Gaza last year.
Nonetheless, Olympic officials and the French government have staunchly supported Israel’s inclusion in this summer’s Games.
Despite this backing, Israeli competitors have encountered protests in the early stages of the Games, with one opponent refusing to acknowledge an Israeli judoka’s handshake on Sunday.
Nurali Emomali of Tajikistan faced Israel’s Baruch Shmailov and, after his victory, exited the mat without extending his hand.
Nurali Emomali of Tajikistan (above) beat Israel’s Baruch Shmailov in the Olympics on Sunday
But Emomali refused to shake his Israeli opponent’s hand before he walked off the mat in Paris
In judo, it is tradition to shake hands with one’s opponent. Reports indicate Emomali was also overheard shouting ‘Allah Akbar’.
Earlier in the day, Morocco’s Abderrahmane Boushita similarly declined to shake hands with Shmailov.
However, Emomali faced immediate ‘karma’ for disregarding Shmailov in the subsequent round against Japan’s Hifumi Abe.
During their match, Emomali severely injured his left arm while trying to break his fall.
He ended up in tears on the mat, suffering what looked like a dislocated shoulder.
Viewers quickly took to social media to comment on the ‘instant karma’ that had struck Emomali.
But Emomali was subjected to instant karma for ignoring Shmailov against Japan’s Hifumi Abe
Emomali suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder when he tried to break his fall
Earlier that same day, French authorities initiated an investigation regarding death threats aimed at three Israeli athletes participating in the Olympics.
Anti-cybercrime units are also probing the dissemination of the athletes’ personal information on social media and are working to have it removed, according to prosecutors’ statements.
In a prior announcement, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate confirmed that after an investigation, it concluded that Iranian hackers were establishing social media platforms to disseminate the personal information of Israeli delegation members and dispatch threatening communications.
On the same day, Israel’s foreign minister alerted his French counterpart about a potential Iranian-backed scheme targeting Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Games.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations released a statement on Thursday that read: ‘Terrorist acts have no place in the principles of resistance groups; lies and deceit cannot switch the roles of the plaintiff and the accused.’
Officials indicate that Israeli competitors at the Games are being escorted to and from events by elite tactical units, receiving round-the-clock protection throughout the duration of the Olympics, with aid from Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet.
