Judoka Nurali Emomali from Tajikistan made headlines in the 66-kilogram category at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
In the round of 16 of Pool B, Emomali went up against Israel’s Baruch Shmailov. Following his victory, he notably declined to shake Shmailov’s hand, as reported by Ynet News. There were claims that he yelled “Allah Akbar” towards his Israeli rival as well.
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Tajikistan’s Nurali Emomali receiving medical attention during the men’s judo 66-kilogram quarterfinal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris on July 28, 2024. (LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Emomali then faced Japan’s Hifumi Abe in the quarterfinals, but he suffered a left arm injury while attempting to break his fall and had to withdraw from the competition.
Strahinja Bunčić from Serbia progressed in the repechage section after receiving a walkover.
Abe later won the gold medal by defeating Brazil’s Willian Lima in the final. Lima earned a silver medal, marking the first Olympic medal of his career. Kazakhstan’s Gusman Kyrgyzbayev and Moldova’s Denis Vieru each took home bronze medals.
Nurali Emomali of Team Tajikistan being assisted off the mat by medical staff after sustaining a wrist injury. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Emomali was not the only judoka to skip the handshake with Shmailov; Morocco’s Abderrahmane Boushita did the same after losing to him.
Israel fielded one of the largest judo teams at the Paris Olympics, featuring 12 competitors, four of whom competed on Sunday.
Baruch Shmailov of Israel (white) competes against France’s Walide Khyar during the men’s under 66-kilogram category elimination round at the World Judo Championships in Tashkent on Oct. 7, 2022. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
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In a related note, Algeria’s Messaoud Dris was disqualified from the competition after failing to make weight prior to his bout against Tohar Butbul, leading the International Judo Federation to declare Butbul the victor via walkover.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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