Blue-and-white judoka Sagi Muki represents one of the country’s top medal chances in Tokyo and is a perfect ambassador off the mat as well.
Expectations were high as Sagi Muki had already won two European championships, in 2015 and in 2018.
MGM and Tadmor describe this as a story of bravery and friendship against all odds, infused by the spirit of sportsmanship.
Israeli judoka Sagi Muki auctions personal items to fund respirators for the Laniado Medical Center in Netanya, where he was born.
Even before coming to Israel, Mollaei will possibly face Israeli judoka Sagi Muki at the Qingdao Masters in China next week.
"I am friends with Sagi Muki, as I am with all other athletes. He supports me and I thank him for this. It doesn’t matter who wins, what matters is friendship," Mollaei said in an interview to DW.
While Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei is still seeking asylum in Germany, his testimony against his country was the trigger to the International Judo Federation's decision to ban the country.
Since the end of his competition in the Judo World Championship last month, Mollaei is still seeking asylum in Germany, hoping to compete in the Olympics as a refugee.
Iranian judoka Mollaei still taking refuge in Germany.
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