Algerian judoka Messaoud Dris caused a stir at the Paris Olympics when he missed weight prior to his scheduled bout against Israeli judoka Tohar Butbul. The International Judo Federation (IJF) announced that they will investigate the reasons behind Dris missing weight.
Dris, who is ranked No. 14 in the world in the men’s 73-kilogram division, showed up to the weigh-in just 10 minutes before the deadline, weighing in at 73.4 kilograms, slightly over the weight limit. This raised questions about whether he was attempting to cut weight at the last minute.
The bout between Dris and Butbul was set to be the first in the men’s 73-kilogram event, but the political tensions surrounding the match cast doubt on whether it would take place at all. Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza has spilled over into the Olympic arena, with Butbul and his coach Guy Fogel expressing their disappointment that the match did not happen.
Butbul stated that he believes Algerian athletes, like Dris, are often pressured to avoid competing against Israeli athletes due to political reasons. He expressed his hope for peace in the Middle East so that athletes from different countries can train together and compete on the tatami without any political interference.
Meanwhile, Israeli judoka Baruch Shmailov also experienced opponents refusing to shake his hand after their bouts on Sunday, highlighting the ongoing political tensions that spill over into the world of sports. Fogel acknowledged that this is not the first time athletes have avoided competing against Israelis due to political reasons, but emphasized the importance of moving on to the next fight.
The IJF emphasized that sports should remain a realm of integrity and fairness, free from the influences of international conflicts. They promised a full review and investigation of Dris’ situation after the Olympic Games, with further action to be taken if necessary.
Overall, the incident involving Dris missing weight before facing Butbul sheds light on the broader issue of political tensions impacting sports competitions and the challenges faced by athletes caught in the middle of international conflicts. As fans of judo and sports in general, we can only hope for a future where athletes can compete based on their skills and sportsmanship, rather than political considerations.