Sudanese judoka Mohamed Abdalrasool has pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics after refusing to compete against Israel’s Tohar Butbul.
Abdalrasool was matched in the first round against Algerian Fethi Nourine who also withdrew to avoid a possible bout with the Israeli opponent.
He was quoted by Algerian media as saying: “We have prepared a lot for this competition but the Palestinian cause is bigger than all this.”
The African champion was banned by the International Olympic Committee and sent home after his withdrawal which was described as “a protest against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians”.
It is not known why Abdalrasool, whose country has signed an agreement for full diplomatic relations with Israel, has withdrawn from the 73kg men category.
Nourine became African champion in 2019 and went on to compete in the World Championship in Japan that same year.
After winning in the first round he refused to face the Butbul and withdrew from the competition.
Source: BBC
