Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei, who competed for Mongolia, has dedicated his silver Olympic medal to Israel for its support since he defected from Iran two years ago.
Mollaei left Iran and took on Mongolian citizenship after Iranian trainers ordered him to lose a match in the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo to avoid facing Israeli opponent Sagi Muki in the finals.
In an interview with a sports channel, Mollaei — who won the Olympic silver medal in the men’s 81-kilogram division —said, “Thank you to Israel for the good energy. This medal is dedicated also to Israel. I hope the Israelis are happy with this win.”
He then said in Hebrew: “Todah” (thank you).
Mollaei’s highly publicized defection in 2019 was followed closely by the international press. In the wake of it, he and Muki formed a close friendship and have cheered one another on since then.
Muki told a press conference on Tuesday that he was “super happy for Saeid,” despite his own disappointing finish in ninth place earlier that day and his failure to advance to the quarter-finals.
“I know what he’s gone through, and how much he wanted it,” he said. “He’s a very close friend of mine, and I’m so happy that he succeeded in achieving his dream. He deserves it — his journey is incredibly inspiring.”
Mollaei took part in the International Judo Federation’s Grand Slam competition in February in Israel, becoming the first Iranian to compete in Israel. He also won a silver medal in the under-81 kilogram category at that event.
At the time, he said: “Ten years ago, even four, if you had asked me about the possibility of competing in Israel, you already know the answer; I would have told you that it would not be possible. They have been very good to me since I arrived. Today I have trained with the Israeli team and they have been very kind. That is something I will never forget.”
During this year’s Tokyo Olympics, two judokas from Sudan and Algeria pulled out of the competition to avoid facing Israeli Tohar Butbul.
The story of Muki and Mollaei’s friendship is now being developed for television by MGM and Israel’s Tadmor Entertainment.
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