Judo World Cup: Algerian Meriem Moussa Rejects Facing Israeli Judoka

Algerian Judoka Meriem Moussa has rejected entering the ring to face an Israeli Shahar Levi in the knockout stage of the Judo World Cup held in 1 and 2 October, in Rome, Italy.

The 52 km Meriem Moussa had missed the weighing ceremony, which precedes the contest, and thus was not officially engaged to step up the mats to face the Israeli Judoka Shahar, the official web site of the European Judo Federation confirmed.

By doing so, Meriem has lost a precious chance to snatch a qualification to London Olympic Games 2012.

The competition was won by the Albanian Judoka Kelmendi Majlinda.

 Meriem Moussa is the bronze medalist of the 26th World University Games held in August, in Shenzhen, China.

Such a withdrawal was prompted by the fact that Algeria does not recognize Israel.

Usually, Arab athletics in general, and Algerians in particular, avoid facing Israeli athletics in different international competitions, as a sign of protest against the Israeli occupation in Palestine.