Judoka shouts ‘Allahu Akbar’ & refuses to shake Israeli athlete’s hand, later withdraws from Paris 2024 with injury; fans say ‘Olympic levels of karma’

(Photo: Social Media)

Judoka Nurali Emomali of Tajikistan refused to shake hands with his fellow competitor Tohar Butbul of Israel during their competition at 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday, as per report. Later he was beaten and left in tears in the next match.

As per the report, after the match, Emomali walked off without shaking hands with Butbul. Judokas shake hands as a custom after their match is over. Emomali also yelled "Allahu Akbar" while holding up a prayer symbol.

Emomali then went on to compete against Japan’s Hifumi Abe. Tajikistani was slammed on the ground which caused Emomali's arm and shoulder to dislocate and he was left in tears on the mat. The injury forced Emomali to withdraw from the Games.

Netizens called it instant karma for bad sportsmanship for refusing to shake hands with his opponent in the previous match.

"Bad sport Nurali Emomali from Tajikistan refused to shake hands with Israeli judo competitor Baruch Shmailov and shouted ‘Allah Akbar.’ Emomali ended up with a dislocated shoulder crying on the mat. Olympic levels of karma," said Michael Dickinson, the executive director of the pro-Israel group StandWithUs.

Journalist Emily Schrader added: “Karma’s a b****. Tajikistan’s Nurali Emomali refused to shake hands with Israeli judoka Baruch Shmailov. In the next round, he ended up with a dislocated shoulder, sobbing on the mat.”

Entrepreneur & Investor Dr. Eli David wrote: “In today's Olympic judo competition, Nurali Emomali from Tajikistan refused to shake hands with the Israeli Baruch Shmailov and shouted “Allah Akbar” instead. Shortly after, he was crying with a dislocated shoulder. That's instant karma.”