Judoka out of Paris Olympics

Several judokas faced early exits at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Azerbaijani athlete Zelim Tskaev losing in the 81 kg category to French competitor Alfa Oumar Djalo. Team USA's Jack Yonezuka, competing in the 73 kg weight class, was defeated 10-0 by Moldova's Adil Osmanov after receiving a penalty, despite expressing excitement about his Olympic experience. Algerian judoka Messaoud Dris withdrew from his match against Israeli judoka Tohar Butbul after missing weight, marking the second consecutive Olympics where an Algerian has withdrawn to avoid facing Butbul, amidst ongoing political tensions. The International Judo Federation declared Butbul the winner by walkover, which has drawn attention to the complex political implications surrounding judo competitions. Previous controversies have led to significant sanctions against athletes like Fethi Nourine, who withdrew in 2021 in support of Palestine. The situation reflects the interconnectedness of sports and international politics, with the International Olympic Committee maintaining support for Israel's participation.