Speaking from Rio de Janeiro two days after winning the medal in the over-100kg tournament, Sasson told Army Radio “it is something that has happened a few times already in the past”.
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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.
Some commentators in Egypt have even suggested that el-Shehaby had lost on goal to the Israeli as a silent protest against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who forced him to compete in the games.
El Shehaby was roundly booed by the crowd and was called back to the stage for his failure to bow to his opponent as it contravenes judo rules.
“I mean, what I would also say is things happen in the heat of the moment that are not acceptable”, he added. “Politics doesn’t matter when I’m on the mat”.
Meanwhile the International Judo Federation stated that judokas are not obligated to shake hands – only to bow.
El Shehaby, an ultraconservative Salafi, had come under pressure before the Games from Islamist-leaning and nationalist voices in Egypt to withdraw from the first-round heavyweight bout against the Israeli.
In an overt display of poor sportsmanship, El Shehaby refused Sasson’s gesture.
“Shaking the hand of your opponent is not an obligation written in the judo rules”.
Messner said that even though El Shehaby ultimately bowed, “his attitude will be reviewed after the games to see if any further action should be taken”.
El Shehaby refused to comment on the incident.
He wrote that El Shehaby’s move backfired, and the Israeli athlete ended up with more sympathy. “Don’t be fooled, or fool yourself, thinking you will play with the Israeli athlete to defeat him and make Egypt happy”, he said.
After the fight, El Shehaby announced that he is retiring from professional judo and, in an interview with an Egyptian website, he tried to explain his behavior. One Egyptian television commentator said El Shehaby would be seen as a “traitor” by other Egyptians if he even fought.
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Asked whether the two athletes will shake hands, Hatab said, “the delegation doesn’t allow mixing politics with sports”.
