TEHRAN - Iranian athlete, Hamid Amraei, has decided to withdraw from AJP Tour Fujairah International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to avoid facing a Zionist counterpart.
The move, by Hamid Amraei, is seen as a new snub for the regime following similar measures taken by a host of Muslim players from across the Islamic world.
Amraei was initially scheduled to take on an opponent from Brazil in the men’s 77-kilogram weight class, but officials changed the draw and set him on course for a showdown against a Zionist competitor.
The Iranian sportsman and the national team’s technical staff strongly objected to the decision, and Amraei finally announced his resignation from the international tournament.
The development comes as athletes from Muslim countries have repeatedly refused to compete against Zionist opponents at major international events to protest Israel’s crimes and occupation of Palestinian land.
Back in May, A Kuwaiti wheelchair fencer withdrew from the second International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Cup of 2022 in Thailand over a draw placed her for a match-up against a Zionist opponent.