When everyone outside is talking about snow and wind, the Grand Slam Judo Tournament will open in Tel Aviv this morning, with the focus - Iranian Said Moulay who may meet an Israeli opponent on Friday • Judo Association chairman Moshe Ponti: "Moulay and his coach - the brave people I knew"
Filled in action.
Will he compete against an Israeli for the first time in his career?
Photo:
Reuters
Everything is ready for the opening of the Grand Slam Tel Aviv tournament that will start this morning in the Heichal Shlomo hall in the Drive In complex. It will start at nine in the morning and last until late in the evening, only unlike the big judo events Israel has hosted in the past.
An audience will of course not be in the hall, despite the attempts of the chairman of the Israeli Judo Association, Moshe Ponti, to reach an outline where he can offer 200 fans a daily entry to the preliminary fights and finals. Those who are lucky will come and watch the event up close - mainly The members of the professional and medical team, as well as a little Israeli media - will walk around the tournament complex in full Corona suits and try to give Israeli athletes a homely feeling.
There is no doubt that the main event, at least on paper, is scheduled to take place on Friday - just before Shabbat - when only then will we find out whether Sagi Muki and Said Moulay will meet for the gold medal up to 81 kg or whether one of them will fall at the beginning of the day. Hemlock, a 19-year-old judoka, could face Moulay in the second round if he defeats Zalim Takaev of Azerbaijan in his first fight.
The expectations in the team are for at least three medals for the men's team, with one supposed to be gold and make the spectators at home hear the hope.
For women, the expectation is for three athletes to finish in the top seven.
Beyond the sporting achievements among the women, the battle for a ticket to the Olympic Games weighing up to 52 kg between Geffen Primo and Gili Cohen will also be decided.
"Back to normal"
425 athletes from 61 countries came to the competition when so far only two of them were found to be Corona carriers, in the Judo Association of course breathed a sigh of relief that the first stage passed with great success.
The president of the World Judo Association, Marius Wieser, is closely following Moulay's arrival in Israel.
As the one who set himself the goal of stopping the sports boycotts in the industry, Wieser chose yesterday to refer only indirectly to Moulay's historic arrival: "I would like to express my appreciation to the Israeli Union and the Israeli government for organizing a special event. You can be proud that Israel organizes such a tournament. It is a great achievement for Israel, which creates a positive image for the country, and testifies to the strength, courage, and organizational abilities of the country. You show the world all your abilities in difficult times. Thank you Thank you to the Government of Israel, Ponti and his staff in the Israeli Union. "
Ponty himself said: "The world is going through difficult and challenging times. Especially at a time like this, sport is a source of hope and a symbol of unity around the world. Today, we judo family can take the first steps of returning to normalcy. Special thanks to Said Moulay and his coach Muhammad Mansuri The bravest I have ever known. "
