Arash Miresmaeili doesn't compete in judo

Iranian double world champion Arash Miresmaeili is out of competition. Iran’s appointed flag bearer will possibly not even carry the flag. The draw on Thursday evening put Miresmaeili in his first bout to Israelian Ehud Vaks. Miresmaeili doesn’t want to fight in a competition with against Israeli fighters as he sympathized with the Palestinians cause.

More Iranian sources have confirmed that the major favourite will be out of the competition and not even wants to lose and go for a possible bronze medal in the repechage.

In the past more Iranian judokas have declined to fight against Israeli athletes. At the world championships of 2001, Mahed Malekmohammadi(IRI) didn’t want to fight Yoel RAZVOZOV (ISR).

In 2001 Masoud Haji Ahkound Zade (IRI) at that time Asian Champion, didn’t fight Israels super lightweight Zvi Shafran.

As Miresmaeili did carry the flag for Iran during the Parade of Nations. Probably no one has ever carried the flag without knowing in advance not to compete.
About carrying the flag the world champion recently said in an interview: "It's a great honour to carry my country's flag. It's an incredible honour that I would never forget it. “
“Now I want God to help me in this event and be successful for my country and my great people.“