MOSCOW, May 13, Oleg Bogatov. President of the Russian Judo Federation Sergei Soloveichik refused to criticize the decision of the arbitrators not to count as a productive action the counterattack of the Russian judoka Inal Tasoev in the World Championship final against the Frenchman Teddy Riner.
On Saturday, in the final of the weight category over 100 kg at the World Championships in Doha, Tasoev met with three-time Olympic champion Teddy Riner from France. In extra time, which is held until the first point scored, Tasoev carried out an action close to the result, but the judges left the score unchanged. A few seconds later, Riner succeeded in winning action, becoming a 12-time world champion.
«»You know, the decisions of the judges are not discussed. The result is the result. The most important thing is that our guys perform and win medals. Can you imagine that they have not competed in the international arena for about 15 months. And now, after such a long break, this a huge breakthrough. And before that — for themselves. They believed in themselves and in the fact that there is an opportunity to be selected for participation in the Olympic Games. And this is very important, «said Soloveichik.
According to the decision of the Executive Committee of the International Judo Federation (IJF), athletes from Russia and Belarus can participate in the tournament as individual neutral athletes, judokas are fighting for tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.