Israeli Judoka Sagi Muki Hosts Iranian Judoka Saeid Mollaei in Netanya for Historic Meeting

A unique event titled "Judo Without Borders" took place on Wednesday evening in Netanya, Israel, where former Israeli judo champion Sagi Muki hosted his former Iranian judo colleague Saeid Mollaei. The event featured a moderated conversation by Benny Savati, where both athletes shared personal stories for the first time, followed by an exhibition match won by Muki.

Muki recalled how during his peak competitive years, he was perceived as distant, but Mollaei was the first to break through his barriers, establishing a secret friendship despite the risks Mollaei faced in Iran. Mollaei, who won a silver medal at the 2021 Tel Aviv Grand Slam, described the restrictions he endured in Iran, where he was forbidden from competing against or even learning about Israeli athletes. He expressed gratitude to the Israeli audience, including members of the Persian community, for their warm reception.

Muki detailed the tense circumstances surrounding their competitions, including Iranian embassy interference and pressure on Mollaei's family to prevent him from competing against Israelis. He described the event as a victory for humanity rather than a medal, emphasizing the significance of their meeting amid ongoing political tensions. Mollaei concluded by expressing a desire to unite the Israeli and Iranian flags in Iran and called for fighting for truth, stating, "Whoever does not fight is a coward."