Iranian Judo Champion Saeid Mollaei to compete in Israel under Mongolia

Iranian Judoka Saeid Mollaei is set to make history by competing in Israel under the country of Mongolia. The significance of this is that Mollaei had previously represented his home country, Iran in the past. He made headlines in 2019 after the Iranian Judo Federation ordered him to lose at the time to avoid a possible bout against an Israeli Judoka. Since then, he relocated to Europe and has been granted asylum as his status in Iran now puts his life at danger.

With this in mind, his decision to compete in Israel is a very big statement. The Iranian Judo Federation has already commented on his decision to compete in Israel and judged him by saying “This is not an honor but a stain of shame on your forehead that will stay with you forever.”
Because of this, if Molleai does happen to compete against an Israeli, then the occasion will be even more iconic.