On the 31st, the 9th day of the Tokyo Olympics, refugee athletes who fled their home countries due to conflicts, etc., aimed to win the final event of judo, a mixed team.
The refugee team was first formed at the last Rio de Janeiro Games, with 29 athletes from 11 countries participating in this competition.
On the 31st, six judo players, both male and female, faced a new mixed team and played against Germany in the first round.
Before the match, the six refugee team members crossed their shoulders on the tatami mats and faced their superior opponents with one heart.
However, in the first men's class over 90 kg, Iranian Javad Majob lost one to the opponent who won in the individual match on the 30th, and the second women's 57 kg class also came from Syria. Sanda Ardas also lost one in the caster.
While the teammates supported by applause and cheering, Ahmad Alikaj from Syria, the third boy in the 73 kg class, overcame the opponent's throwing and ground fighting, and on the contrary, flew back, but 4 minutes Just before the end of the match time, I was decided to turn around and lost one.
And even in the fourth women's 70 kg class, Muna Dahouk from Syria was suppressed and gave a signal to come and lost one, and the refugee team lost 0-4.
Even so, warm applause was sent from the venue to the athletes who overcame various difficulties and arrived at the Tokyo Olympics.
On the website of the IJF = International Judo Federation, after the match, the refugee team interacted with the German national team and the German side gave a souvenir, along with pictures of smiling players.
In this, Aldus commented, "I am really grateful for welcoming us as a member of the judo family."