International Judo Federation to ‘review’ Egyptian fighter’s actions

The International Judo Federation has announced that it will review Egyptian judo fighter Islam al-Shehaby’s “attitude” following the Rio Olympics after he refused to shake hands with his Israeli opponent on Friday.

Shehaby snubbed Israel's Or Sasson who approached him with an outstretched hand, after Sasson defeated him in the men's over 100 kg judo competition.

As Shehaby was walking away amid loud boos from the crowd, the referee beckoned him back to perform the compulsory bow, according to the International Judo Federation. Shehaby quickly nodded and turned away.

International Judo Federation chief communications officer Nicolas Messner told Mada Masr that Shehaby’s “attitude will be reviewed to see if any further action should be taken.”

Messner maintained that Shehaby had not committed a violation, as there is not a rule mandating athletes to shake hands after a fight and that Sasson and Shehaby bowed to one another. However, he still said that the “situation will be studied after the games.”

Whether the snub was interpreted as a breach in sportsmanship or a political statement, Messner was pleased that the fight had occurred at all, as he had considered the match between the two nationals farfetched at one point. “This is already a big improvement,” the communications officer said.

The faceoff was anticipated amid speculation that Shehaby would forfeit. Egyptian news outlets claimed Israeli media was encouraging Shehaby to concede so as to have an “easy win.”

However, head of the Egyptian Olympic delegation Hesham Hatab put the rumors to rest, confirming that Shehaby would compete.

Following the incident, Hatab told the privately owned Youm7 newspaper that Shehaby lost the match due to the pressure he was under, while noting that refusing to shake an opponent’s hands is not a violation according to international bylaws.

In a statement published on Friday, the Egyptian Olympic Committee said that Shehaby was instructed before the fight to adhere to all rules and standards of sportsmanship since “it is just a Judo match in an international sports tournament.”

The committee maintained that Shehaby’s actions were a “personal” decision.

Shehaby competed at the 2008 and 2012 summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal at the 2010 World Judo Championships in Tokyo.