Israeli judoka loses to current gold medalist in Rio semifinals

Israel’s Or Sasson was defeated in the semifinals of the men’s over-100kg competition at the Rio Games on Friday, losing to the current holder of the Olympic gold medal in his sport, France’s Teddy Riner.

The Frenchman has not lost a competition in six years, and in 2012 won the top prize at the London Games. He is also the only judoka in the world to ever win eight World Championship gold medals.

Sasson still has a chance to claim the bronze medal in a later fight Friday, when he will face Alex Maxell Garcia Mendoza of Cuba.

The Israeli brushed off an unpleasant encounter with his defeated Egyptian opponent, Islam El-Shahaby in the first round, going on to win two more fights and claim his place in the semifinals against the legendary Riner. El-Shahaby refused to shake hands with Sasson after his defeat, or even bow in mutual respect. The Egyptian was ordered back to the floor to bow, was booed by the crowd, and later said he was quitting judo.

Sasson beat Poland’s Maciej Sarnacki in the second round and Roy Meyer of the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. The defeated Meyer paid tribute to Sasson’s fighting skills after their match, but told Israeli TV that he was not going to beat Riner.

As it turned out, Sasson held his own against Riner for much of the fight, only being outmaneuvered in the final few seconds.

In stark contrast to El-Shahaby’s behavior, Riner shook hands warmly with Sasson at the end of the encounter, and whispered some words of congratulation to the Israeli for his performance.

On Tuesday, fellow Israeli judoka Yarden Gerbi overcame an early loss to win bronze in the women’s under-63 kg in Rio, becoming the first Israeli athlete to win a medal at the 2016 games, and the first Israeli Olympic medalist since windsurfer Shahar Tzuberi took home the bronze in the 2008 games in Beijing.

Gerbi defeated Japan’s Miku Tashiru in the repechage to claim the third place spot.