The World Judo Federation has denied a total of eight members of the Russian delegation participation in the upcoming World Championships. They had failed background checks on a possible connection to the Russian military and the war of aggression against Ukraine.
As the World Judo Federation announced on Wednesday (May 3rd, 2023), a total of eight of the planned members of the Russian delegation are not allowed to travel to Doha for the title fights after the background checks. According to the specifications of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), only athletes who do not support the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine should take part in the World Cup. The world association wanted to ensure this with the checks.
At the World Championships in Doha, only athletes should be admitted who, after the review, “no indications were found that they support the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” according to the statement by the world association IJF.
medal winner Banned Bashaev and Abuladze
According to AFP, the Russian judoka who were denied participation in the World Championships by the world association include Tamerlan Bashaev, bronze medalist in the heavyweight class at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and Yago Abuladze, world champion in the class up to 60 kilograms. Also Inal Tasoev and Mikhail Igolnikov, who won medals for Russia at the 2021 World Military Championships in Paris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was Honorary President and Ambassador of the World Judo Federation from 2008 until he was suspended in 2022 because of the war.
Judoka from Russia re-admitted after decision of the federation
The World Judo Federation decided last weekend to admit athletes from Russia and Belarus to the World Championships, which begin next Sunday in Qatar’s capital. At the end of March, the IOC under German President Thomas Bach recommended the re-admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus as neutral athletes to international competitions. The handling of the world associations is different.
boycott announcement the Judo World Championship from Ukraine
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were also temporarily excluded from judo because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. There was international criticism for the decision to let them start at the World Cup. The Ukrainian team then announced their withdrawal from the title fights. Many Russian judoka belong to the country’s military and are therefore by no means neutral. “We are very disappointed with the decision and will not be taking part in the World Cup,” it said in a statement.
There are 19 athletes on the start lists for the World Championships, who start under a neutral flag. The title fights are also about important points for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. From the Russian side there was initially no reaction to the exclusion of eight members of the delegation. Sports Minister Oleg Matyzin had previously described the admission of Russian athletes only under a neutral flag as “discrimination”.