Turkish Judo Athlete Refuses Handshake with Israeli Opponent at European Championships

“The incident was not discussed further with either team,” says EJU Vice President Otto Kneitinger. Image: dpa

The Israeli judoka Tamar Malca offers her hand to her opponent at the European Championships, but the Turkish woman does not take it. The European association is now commenting on the incident.

At the European Judo Championships in Montpellier, France, Turkish judoka Tugce Beder refused her Israeli opponent Tamar Malca the usual handshake. After Beder (23) lost in the first round in the class up to 48 kilograms, Malca (23) approached her competitor with an outstretched hand. But Beder turned away and left the mat. Malca showed these scenes in her Instagram story. There was initially no comment from Beder.

When asked, the European Judo Union (EJU) pointed out that although a bow was mandatory after the end of the fight, a handshake was not mandatory. That’s why there was no reaction from the referee. “There were no actions afterwards that would have given rise to any sanctions. The fight was hard, but it was definitely fair,” said EJU Vice President Otto Kneitinger to the German Press Agency. “The incident was not discussed further with either team; refusing to handshake does not happen often in judo, but it does happen.”

A comment from Michael Wittershagen Published/Updated: Recommendations: 27 Michael Wittershagen Published/Updated: Recommendations: 18 Michael Wittershagen Published/Updated: Recommendations: 60

According to French media reports, security measures to protect Israeli athletes at the European Judo Championships have been increased almost a month ago against the background of the Gaza war and the massacre by terrorists from Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip.

2023-11-04 14:33:44
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