In 2019, Mollaei was forced by the Iranian goverment to quit the World Judo Championships in Tokyo under the threat of sanctions against himself and his family, so he would not face the Isreali judoka Sagi Muki.
Mollaei fled Iran and eventually received Mongolian citizenship. Today he won the silver medal for Mongolia.
Here is a higher quality and less cropped version of this image. Here is the source. Per there:
Iran's Saeid Mollaei jubilates after winning in the men under 81kg category bout of the 2018 Judo World Championships in Baku on September 23, 2018. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Red_Arc on July 27th, 2021 at 12:10 UTC »
In 2019, Mollaei was forced by the Iranian goverment to quit the World Judo Championships in Tokyo under the threat of sanctions against himself and his family, so he would not face the Isreali judoka Sagi Muki.
Mollaei fled Iran and eventually received Mongolian citizenship. Today he won the silver medal for Mongolia.
Mollaei and Muki are good friends to this day.
LifeWin on July 27th, 2021 at 12:53 UTC »
Iran now having uncomfortable flashbacks about the last time they angered the Mongols...
Spartan2470 on July 27th, 2021 at 14:57 UTC »
Here is a higher quality and less cropped version of this image. Here is the source. Per there: