July 29, (THEWILL) – Messaoud Redouane Dris, an Algerian judoka, was disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday, due to exceeding the weight limit. The disqualification came just one day before his scheduled 73 kg bout against Israeli competitor, Tohar Butbul.
The International Judo Federation removed Dris from the draw after he weighed in at 73.4 kg, surpassing the weight category limit. Organisers stated that Dris had “failed the weigh-in” and consequently, his opponent would “win the scheduled contest by walkover”.
This incident follows a history of judokas withdrawing or refusing to compete against Israeli opponents. Notably, Dris’s compatriot, Fethi Nourine, was sent home from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 for refusing to fight Butbul, citing support for the Palestinian cause.
The Israeli Olympic Committee responded to the situation, stating: “Tohar’s competitor has removed himself from the competition. The Israeli delegation will continue to compete with the Olympic values in mind. We believe this kind of behaviour has no place in the world of sport.”
This disqualification occurs against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the region. Since October 2023, Gaza has seen significant casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 39,000 deaths, primarily women and children. The conflict began following an attack by Hamas militants that resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths in Israel.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
