Algerian Judoka Disqualified From Olympics Before Bout Against Israeli

FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)
FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)
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Algerian Judoka Disqualified From Olympics Before Bout Against Israeli

FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)
FILE - Victor Sterpu of Moldova, background and Tohar Butbul of Israel compete during their men’s -73kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FIle)

Algerian judoka Messaoud Redouane Dris was disqualified on Sunday for exceeding the weight limit the day before his Olympic 73 kg bout against Israeli Tohar Butbul, organizers said.

The 22-year-old weighed in at 73.4 kg in Paris, resulting in him being removed from the draw by the international judo federation.

Organizers said in a statement that Dris had "failed the weigh-in" and therefore his opponent would "win the scheduled contest by walkover".

In the past several other judokas have pulled out or refused to compete against Israeli opponents.

The Algerian national Olympic committee declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

"Tohar's competitor has removed himself from the competition," the Israeli Olympic Committee said in a statement.

Dris's compatriot Fethi Nourine was sent home from the Tokyo Olympics three years ago for refusing to fight Butbul.

"We worked a lot to reach the Olympics... but the Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this," Nourine said at the time.

At least 39,258 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched a military campaign in retaliation for an attack on October 7 last year by Hamas militants, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.

 



Lebanon's Hassan Makes History with Win Over Eubanks

Jul 28, 2024; Paris, France; Christopher Eubanks (USA) hits the ball against Benjamin Hassan (LBN) in the men’s tennis singles first round during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports Purchase Licensing Rights
Jul 28, 2024; Paris, France; Christopher Eubanks (USA) hits the ball against Benjamin Hassan (LBN) in the men’s tennis singles first round during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports Purchase Licensing Rights
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Lebanon's Hassan Makes History with Win Over Eubanks

Jul 28, 2024; Paris, France; Christopher Eubanks (USA) hits the ball against Benjamin Hassan (LBN) in the men’s tennis singles first round during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports Purchase Licensing Rights
Jul 28, 2024; Paris, France; Christopher Eubanks (USA) hits the ball against Benjamin Hassan (LBN) in the men’s tennis singles first round during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports Purchase Licensing Rights

Benjamin Hassan secured a landmark victory on Sunday as he became the first Lebanon player to win a match in an Olympic tennis event, stunning American Christopher Eubanks.

Germany-born Hassan, ranked 170th in the world, won 6-4 6-2 for one of the best victories of his career to fully vindicate being handed a Universality place by the ITF.

"I am unbelievably happy. We just enjoy it from the whole team. We are really proud and I'm also proud of myself," the 29-year-old told reporters.

"It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I was just trying to be calm because I didn't want to waste too much energy. When I won I could let it all out."

According to Reuters, Hassan did not even set about becoming a professional until the age of 22, having previously played just for fun. But now he is living the dream as an Olympian and has a second-round clash against Argentina's Sebastian Baez to look forward to.

He has thrown himself into life in the athletes village, amassing quite a collection of pins. "I think the most special one is Japan because I'm a huge fan of Japan. I like watching a lot of animated mangas," he said.

Hassan was not the only Lebanon player in the draw as Hady Habib lost to French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday.

Hassan and Habib also lost in the doubles on Sunday.