Former Israeli Judo Champion Sagiv Muki Prepares for Historic Exhibition Match with Iranian Rival

Sagiv Muki, Israel's first male judo world champion, retired nearly two years ago after competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite retirement, he still instinctively packs his judo uniform before trips abroad but now focuses on his new life, including public speaking, reality TV appearances, and running a chain of judo clubs in Netanya. Muki reflects on his last Olympic competition amid heightened antisemitism following October 7, describing it as a significant moment to represent Israel.

A defining episode in Muki's career occurred at the 2019 World Judo Championships, where he won gold. The event was marked by the controversial absence of Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei, who deliberately lost a semifinal to avoid facing Muki in the final due to political pressure from Iran. Mollaei later defected to Germany and made a historic visit to Israel in 2022, forging a close friendship with Muki.

On July 29, Muki and Mollaei will face off in an exhibition match in Netanya, closing a chapter in their intertwined careers. This event, produced with SIPUR and featured in a documentary by Yariv Mozar airing on Channel 13, aims to promote peace and connection between communities. Muki expresses hope that their story will inspire and demonstrate that Israelis and Iranians can be friends despite political tensions.

Muki also recounts overcoming two severe herniated discs in 2016, which nearly ended his career, and credits his resilience for his later successes, including European championships and an Olympic team medal in Tokyo. He emphasizes that while he lacks an individual Olympic medal, he proudly holds the title of Olympic medalist. Muki is adjusting to life after competitive sports, balancing family life with his ongoing involvement in judo through coaching and club management.