Saudi Arabia and Judo Make History in Tokyo 2020

Compartir
Compartir articulo

It all started nine years ago. A first step was accomplished when Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani competed for the first time in the judo tournament at the Olympic Games, in London. It was the first time in history that a female athlete from Saudi Arabia participated. With Tahani Alqahtani it is not one single step but a giant leap forward. Today in Saudi Arabia all sports are practised actively by women. Sport has been promoting education and excellence to the entire community.

For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, it was announced prior to the Games that Saudi Arabia earned a last-minute wildcard to participate in the competition in the women’s +78kg with Tahani Alqahtani. After the official draw, she discovered that her first round would be against Raz Hershko from Israel. Immediately questions arose that were answered today in the most humanist and respectful way, by two athletes representing their two delegations.

With what happened today at the Nippon Budokan, once again judo makes history and helps to build a better world, where respect is the core value of human relations. Saudi Arabia proves that, through sport, we can go beyond differences and make sport a force to unite the world.

The IJF and the entire sporting community highly commends and applauds His Royal Highness for supporting and protecting the decision of the athlete.

The match between Tahani Alqahtani and Raz Hershko took place and that represents a massive step forward that proves respect and friendship while showing that sport can transcend any political or exterior influence.

Tahani Alqahtani received her wildcard prior to the start of the Olympic Games after a decision by the IOC Executive Board, who underlined their goal of having, for the first time ever, at least one female and one male athlete in each of the NOCs along with the IOC Refugee Olympic Team participating at this Games.

It is important to understand the woman herself. She has become a role model, representing values and power. Tahani Alqahtani started judo a few years ago at the Saudi Judo Training Centre, based at King Saud University in Riyadh. Immediately the 21 year old showed great skill and she distinguished herself among her teammates, making it a natural progression to join the Saudi Arabian senior female national team. Her objective was today to be on the tatami and to do what she knows best.

This is what she came for, in full respect of the judo rules and with respect for her opponent. What happened today is not a minor event, it is a massive step forward and the IJF is happy, together with all its partners, from the IOC to the NOC of Saudi Arabia and all those involved, to have contributed to a world where understanding means something.

INTERNATIONAL JUDO FEDERATION

The International Judo Federation (IJF) is a is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation and the world governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of judo. The IJF, which was founded in 1951, has organised its IJF World Judo Tour since 2009, which comprises a World Championships, a World Judo Masters, Grand Slam and Grand Prix events. Judo is one of the world’s most widely practised sports with over 40 million people around the globe participating. Judo is unique, as a sport, a martial art and an education tool.

MORE INFORMATION

IJF Media & Communications Department

Photos @ IJF media, Gabriela Sabau and Nicolas Messner

IJF - József Attila street 1, Budapest 1051, Hungary

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Recent Articles

The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

The World Friendship Games (WFG) will feature competitions in 36 sports and will award 283 medals to the winners. The Russian Government announced that a press conference will soon be held to present them with more details and clarified that the invitations to participate are addressed to athletes and not to countries.
The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

From France, information indicates that the site chosen for the Olympic fire to be lit since July 26 would be the emblematic Tuileries Garden. Official sources did not confirm the fact, but they recognize the idea that it is located in the heart of Paris and in full view of fans.
Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

The parade in the Mediterranean will be minutes before disembarkation at the Old Port of Marseille; they must meet certain requirements and apply to participate.
Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

The attack in Moscow threatened the whole of Europe and security in Paris is once again in the spotlight, just four months after the parade of delegations on the Seine River.
France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?

Although all the expectations for July 26 are set on an opening ceremony that promises to be extraordinary, it is likely that, in the hour before the party, the world will attend a parade of luminaries from sports, arts and entertainment.
Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?