Fight does not end on judo mat

An Egyptian Olympic judo athlete refused to shake his Israeli competitor’s hand on Friday after losing the competition.

Israel’s Or Sasson squared off on Friday against Egypt’s Islam El Shehaby in judo at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Sasson later revealed his coaches had warned him El Shehaby might refuse to shake his hand.

The referee called him back but the Egyptian gave only a curt nod.

Messner said the fact the fight even took place between the two athletes was already a major sign of progress.

The 32-year-old had reportedly faced pressure from some Islamist and nationalist Egyptians to withdraw from the match.

On Sunday, the International Olympic Committee reprimanded members of the Lebanese delegation for refusing to allow Israeli team members to board an official bus to the Games opening ceremony on Friday.

This isn’t the first incident that involved geopolitical tensions creeping into the Games.

However, new rumours emerged a few days ago, suggesting that Shehaby planned not to shake his Israeli counterpart’s hand at the end of the fight, which is common civility during sporting encounters. He attempted to shake his opponents hands and when he was refused, he just carried on normally.

But even those watching the sport for the first time were amazed by the lack of respect El Shehaby showed Or Sasson. “Egypt will be sad and you will be seen as a traitor and a normaliser in the eyes of your people”.

‘We don’t want to think what will happen if you lost to an Israeli. As per custom, Sasson can be seen bowing to the Egyptian judoka but El Shehaby did not return that honor.

El Shehaby made a decision to compete anyway, but he couldn’t bring himself to engage in basic sporting etiquette afterward.

Family members of Israeli judoka Ori Sasson celebrating at thier home in Jerusalem after Ori won Israels second judo bronze medal at the Olympic Games Rio, August 12, 2016.