IJF suspends Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and the Tunis Grand Prix

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has suspended the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and the Tunis Grand Prix from its competition calendar, saying it wants to take a “firm and constructive stance in the fight against discrimination in sport.”

Last year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam was criticized for refusing to display Israel’s flag for the country’s athletes and for not playing the Israeli national anthem.

The United Arab Emirates has no diplomatic ties with Israel and, like most other Arab countries, doesn’t recognize Israel as a state.

Earlier this year, World Taekwondo – the sport’s governing body – issued a statement regretting a Tunisian court’s decision to ban four Israeli athletes from competing at the World Junior Championships in Hammamet.

Tal Flicker, Israel —

A gold medalist at the 2017 European Open, Flicker first got into judo when his father took him to a martial arts center. "I think the most obvious value people can take from judo and apply to their lives is respect," the former world No. 1 told CNN during the 2018 Paris Grand Slam. "Before a fight, you give a bow to your opponent. Then you fight like you want to eat each other, but at the end of the fight you shake hands and bow again. Other sports could learn from that."

Kosei Inoue, Japan —

In Japan, where judo is more than just a sport, Inoue is no ordinary athlete. Essentially unbeatable between 1999 and 2003, the half-heavyweight judoka won three world titles and Olympic gold, placing him among the greatest of all time. "There is the competition, but there is something far bigger behind this," Inoue, now head coach of Japan, told CNN. "By practicing judo every day, it really helps you win in life in general. In judo, you always get thrown and you always have to stand up. It's very similar to life itself."

Teddy Riner, France —

To face Riner in a competitive environment is to try and move a mountain. Standing over two meters tall, weighing in at around 300 pounds, the Frenchman possesses an aura of invincibility few can match in the history of sport. The numbers speak for themselves. Riner has reigned supreme for approaching a decade, winning over 130 consecutive matches on his way to securing a record 10 world titles. Riner's mantra is "aggressive on the mat, a gentleman off it." As the 29-year-old tells CNN: "When you go on the tatami, this is the fight; when you exit off the tatami you are back to being a gentleman."

Majlinda Kelmendi, Kosovo —

When Kelmendi fights, an entire nation stands still. The 26-year-old is more than just a talented judoka -- she's Kosovo's biggest sporting icon. Her face adorns billboards all over her home city of Peja, where locals speak in hushed tones about their country's first ever Olympic champion. Her legacy is equally unmistakable, with a new generation of Kosovar stars emerging in her wake. "Through judo I became somebody," Kelmendi told CNN ahead of Rio 2016. "I don't do it because of money, I don't do it because I wanted to get famous. I do judo because I feel it, I love it -- it makes me feel good, makes me feel special."

Lukas Krpalek, Czech Republic —

Tens of thousands flocked to Lipno Lake to welcome the Czech Republic's Olympic heroes in the aftermath of Rio 2016 -- among which stood their country's first ever judo gold medalist, Krpalek. "Judo is something completely different to any other sport," the heavyweight world and Olympic champion told CNN in Prague. "Judo educates children from a young age to respect the elders, to respect the opponent, to somehow respect humanity itself. This is something I like a lot and I am glad this is observed, be it locally or at worldwide tournaments."

Kayla Harrison, US —

Harrison is a two-time Olympic champion who, at London 2012, became the sport's first American Olympic gold medalist. Four years later, in Rio, she retained her title. "Judo saved my life," Harrison wrote in an exclusive CNN Sport column. "The sport gave me a goal, gave me something to wake up for. If I didn't have that when I was a teenager, I might not even be here."

Yasuhiro Yamashita, Japan —

"Today, in this fragile world, Judo gives us hope to overcome the obstacles of political tension, animosity and discrimination," heavyweight legend Yamashita, who retired unbeaten in 203 consecutive bouts, told CNN. "By practicing Judo, people learn the core values of respect and above all, on the tatami there is no border nor religion. Judo is a bridge that connects the world's people, cultures and countries."

Ryoko Tani, Japan —

She may stand at only 1.46 meters tall, but Japan's Ryoko Tani is widely considered to be the best female judoka of all time. Bursting onto the international scene aged 15, the Japanese star went on to dominate the extra-lightweight category (-48kg) for two decades. Tani is the first female judoka in history to compete at five Olympic games and the only one to walk away with a medal on every occasion. She went a remarkable 12 years unbeaten at international level, winning every major competition she entered from the end of 1996 to 2008. "Through judo I traveled to many cities and countries, and I've seen the power of sport," Tani told CNN. "I have realized that sport is a backbone in the structure of governments around the world."

Uta Abe, Japan —

Siblings Hifumi and Uta Abe have lost just once since 2016 and look destined to become the stars of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Already a dominant force in the the U52kg division, it is easy to forget that Uta, at 17, is still a high school student. "Judo is hard; however, it's all worth it when you throw your opponent and win," she told CNN Sport, calling the discipline "unique in the way it brings people together."

Jean-Luc Rouge —

With victory in the -93kg division back in 1975, Rouge became the first ever judo world champion from France. "The life of a champion is more important than his results," Rouge, now president of the French Judo Federation, told CNN. "Teddy Riner is 10-time world champion. Maybe it will be 12, or 14. That is not the most important thing: Teddy Riner is an image of the people."

Popole Misenga, ROT —

Having grown up amid the five-year civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Misenga sought asylum — without a passport, money or food — in Brazil after the 2013 World Championships in Rio. Three years later, he competed at the Olympics in the same city. "My life really changed after the Olympics," Misenga, a member of the Rio 2016 Refugee Olympic Team (ROT), told CNN. "I have a good life now. I don't need to worry every day if I can feed my family."

Toni Geiger, US —

A Team USA athlete at the 2010 and 2011 World Championships, Geiger is using the life lessons and "moral code" judo taught her to educate a younger generation. "More children are leaving sport than ever before," she told CNN. "Our mission is to inspire as many children as humanly possible to believe in themselves through sport and physical activity."

Elliot Stewart, Great Britain —

Three years ago the eyesight of one of Britain's top judo talents was "perfect." Then he discovered he'd developed a rare condition called Keratoconus, which affects the cornea of the eye, impairing the ability to focus properly. His symptoms were mild at first but got progressively worse. "Judo means everything to me. It has brought me back from somewhere where I had nowhere to turn," says Stewart, who now wants to compete in the visually impaired -90kg weight category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Arthur Margelidon, Canada —

A national champion in all age categories, Margelidon proved his credentials on the international stage with a silver medal at the 2017 Tokyo Grand Slam. "I started judo at the age of six. It was a way to express all the energy I had when I was a kid," the lightweight judoka told CNN. "They teach you about respect and fair play. It's really a moral sport, not only a sport to win medals. I would tell people that it's a good thing to try."

Alexander Turner, US —

Another lightweight judoka, Turner (R), got involved in the sport through an after-school program because his mother thought it would keep him out of trouble. "It's given me discipline and a chance to travel the world," the American, a bronze medalist in the 2017 Cancun Grand Prix told CNN. "If your life is going down the wrong path, judo is definitely something you should give a try. It's the best way to channel your energy and find yourself."

Sport meets philosophy - what judo can teach us about life

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“The International Judo Federation is committed to promoting the moral principles and values of Judo, Olympism and sport in general, thus making an active contribution to the promotion of peace and equality between nations, races and genders,” the IJF wrote in a statement.

Judo’s moral code, created by the sport’s founder Jigoro Kano, preaches a set of ethics encouraging friendship, courage and honor.

READ: Israeli judoka Tal Flicker – ‘Sport should overcome all the politics’

READ: Israeli judo star Tal Flicker wins gold in UAE; officials refuse to play anthem

“The IJF Statutes reflect this approach in article 1. 2: ‘IJF shall not discriminate on the ground of race, religion, gender or political opinion,’” added the IJF statement.

Israeli judoka Tal Flicker won gold in the men’s half-lightweight division at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam last year, but tournament organizers refused to raise Israel’s flag or play the national anthem.

Instead of Hatikvah, Israel’s traditional national anthem, tournament organizers played the official music of the IJF and raised the logo of judo’s governing body in place of the Israeli flag.

In quiet defiance, Flicker sang Hatikvah quietly to himself atop the podium.

Hifumi Abe is a dominant force in judo, unbeaten in the U66kg division since 2016.

His 17-year-old sister Uta has been no less imperious, despite the fact she is still a high school student.

In February 2017, Uta became the youngest ever winner on the IJF World Tour, taking gold in the Dusseldorf Grand Slam aged 16.

She's still never lost a match outside of her native Japan.

After missing out on selection from the Rio 2016 Olympics as a teenager, Hifumi has become one of the sport's leading fighters, winning the World Championships at his first attempt in Budapest.

Both have earned reputations for their explosive and dynamic fighting style on the mat.

"Something I keep in mind is to never back down -- to always move forward and keep attacking," Uta told CNN Sport.

The brother and sister celebrated a unique feat at the Tokyo Grand Slam in December 2017 when they both came away with the spoils.

The two Abes are looking to maintain their dominance between now and their home Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

Hifumi has no doubt of his ability to shine in front of his home crowd, saying of the Olympics, "I will win."

Modest and self-effacing off the mat, Uta is no less confident about her abilities on it. "My short-term goal is to win the World Championships in Baku later this year," she told CNN. "My mid-term objective is to win the Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020."

The long-term future certainly looks bright for these Japanese judo siblings. Visit CNN.com/judo for more news and features

A family affair for Hifumi and Uta Abe

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“It was weird,” Flicker told CNN Sport at the time. “Israel is my country and I’m proud to be from Israel.

“I sang Hatikvah because I don’t know anything else. This is my anthem.”

At the event in Abu Dhabi, Flicker and 11 of his competing compatriots were forced to wear judogis (judo uniforms) without the typical identifying symbols of their nationality.

Earlier that same day, fellow Israeli Gili Cohen – bronze medalist in the women’s half-lightweight division – stood and watched as the IJF’s flag was raised in place of her nation’s.

“Prior to this decision and after carefully analyzing the past situations involving the denial of participation in equal conditions of all IJF member federations … the IJF officially requested the two organizers to provide a letter of guarantee signed by the government that all IJF member nations would have the right to participate in their events in equal conditions,” the statement of judo’s governing body continued.

“As no positive answer was received to date, the International Judo Federation’s Executive Committee decided to suspend both the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and the Tunis Grand Prix until governmental guarantee is given to ensure free and equal participation of all nations at the said events.”

The organizers of the two events did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.