The International Judo Federation has issued a "stern official warning" to a coach who was filmed slapping world champion Martina Traidos in the face before a match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"Judo is an educational sport and such behavior, which is inconsistent with the Judo Code of Ethics, cannot be tolerated," the International Judo Federation said in a statement on Wednesday.
Amazing pre-fight ritual of German judo competitor Martyna Trajdos and her coach #OlympicGames #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/v74TKj5r2N
— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) July 28, 2021
On Tuesday, a video of coach Claudio Bossa was spread on social media, shaking enthusiastically and forcefully the world champion Tridos, and then slapping her hard on the cheeks, before losing the match against Hungarian Shufi Uzbas in the 63 kg weight.
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A post shared by Martyna Trajdos (@martyna_trajdos)
But Traidos, 32, publicly defended her coach before the International Judo Federation intervened.
"As I said, this is the ritual I chose before the start of the competitions, my coach did what I wanted him to do to motivate me," Traidos wrote on Instagram, sharing photos.
La reacción del entrenador de Martyna Trajdos hacia ella en los #JuegosOlimpicos de #Tokyo2020
pic.twitter.com/DLgrfEI0rj
— Carrusel Deportivo (@carrusel) July 27, 2021