Egyptian judoka won't shake hands after losing match to Israeli opponent

Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby refused to shake hands after losing to Ori Sasson on Friday.

Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby refused to shake hands after losing to Israel’s Ori Sasson on Friday.

Sasson defeated Shehaby in the Round of 32 in the over-100 kilogram division. Sasson approached Shehaby with his hand extended after the match, by Shehaby backed away, refusing to acknowledge his opponent. 

As expected, Israeli Ori Sasson won the fight vs. the Egyptian, who didn't shake his hand at the end #judo #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/1xE1XU9LnT

— Ben Mittelman (@BenMittelman) August 12, 2016

pic.twitter.com/yRmOLONymP

— Allon Sinai (@AllonSinai) August 12, 2016

Israel-Egypt ties never been closer, but Egyptian judoka still won't shake hand of victorious Israeli opponent. pic.twitter.com/89YDZhoTFA

— Anshel Pfeffer אנשיל פפר (@AnshelPfeffer) August 12, 2016

The over-100 judo event was the only one Shehaby competed in during the Olympics. He previously won a bronze in the event at the 2010 Tokyo World Championships.

Sasson won silver at the European Judo Championships earlier this year.

Earlier in the Olympics, a Saudi Arabian judoka reportedly refused to compete in a first-round match to avoid a potential fight against Israeli Gili Cohen, while the Lebanese judo team would not allow members of the Israeli team on its bust due to political conflict.