A judoka from Tajikistan was struck by ‘karma’ when he refused to shake hands with his Israeli opponent during the Olympic Games on Sunday.
Since the start of Israel’s offensive in Gaza last year, there have been protests at various points against Israel’s presence at the Paris Olympics.
However, the Olympics and the French government have expressed their full support for Israel’s right to participate this summer.
Despite this, Israeli athletes were the target of protests in the early days of the Games, with one opponent of a judoka refusing to shake his hand on Sunday.
Nurali Emomali from Tajikistan took on Israeli Baruch Shmailov. After defeating him, he immediately walked off the mat without shaking his opponent’s hand.
Tajikistan’s Nurali Emomali (above) defeated Israel’s Baruch Shmailov at the Olympic Games on Sunday
But Emomali refused to shake his Israeli opponent’s hand before walking off the mat in Paris
It is customary to shake hands with your opponent in judo. Emomali is also said to have heard someone shout ‘Allah Akbar’.
Earlier in the day, Moroccan politician Abderrahmane Boushita also refused to shake Shmailov’s hand.
But Emomali got instant karma for ignoring Shmailov in the next round and taking on Japan’s Hifumi Abe.
While they were battling for victory, Emomali seriously injured his left arm while trying to break his fall.
He was left crying on the mat after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Viewers immediately took to social media to point out the “karma” that hit Emomali.
But Emomali got instant karma for ignoring Shmailov against Japan’s Hifumi Abe
Emomali reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder while trying to break his fall
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Earlier on Sunday, French police launched an investigation into death threats received by three Israeli athletes during the Olympic Games.
Cybercrime enforcement agencies are also investigating the disclosure of athletes’ personal data on social networks on Friday and seeking to have it removed, prosecutors said in a statement.
In a statement on Thursday, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate said its investigation concluded that Iranian hackers created social media channels to publish personal information about members of the Israeli delegation and send them threatening messages.
On the same day, Israel’s Foreign Minister warned his French counterpart about a possible Iranian-backed plan to target Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympics.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Thursday: “Terrorist acts have no place in the principles of resistance groups; lies and deceit cannot turn the tables on the accuser and the accused.”
Israeli athletes at the Games will be escorted to and from events by elite tactical units and will have 24-hour protection during the Games, officials say. Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, is helping with security.