Al-Qahtani Defeated In Olympic Judo Match Against Israeli Opponent
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After heavy criticism for deciding to play against an Israeli opponent, Saudi Judoka Tahani al-Qahtani was defeated by her Israeli opponent at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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Al-Qahtani lost 11-0 to her Israeli counterpart
Saudi Judoka, Tahani al-Qahtani, lost 11-0 to her Israeli counterpart, Raz Hershko, in the Olympic category of the Judo Women’s +78 kg.
The defeat came after a wave of criticism targeted the Saudi player for accepting to play against an Israeli opponent in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Al-Qahtani's decision was backed by Saudi media and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, an unprecedented happenstance showcasing an irrefutable attempt at normalizing ties between Saudi Arabia and "Israel."
Previous Arab players, such as Algerian Fathi Nourine and Sudanese Mohamed Abdel Latif, have refused to face an Israeli opponent in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Their decision was frowned upon by the media and was followed by "Disciplinary Sanctions" by the International Judo Federation. On the other hand, the general Arab populace and pro-Palestinian activists have lauded the judokas' decision, considering it a righteous moral stance and an important step for shedding light on "Israel's" crime against Palestinians.
