Kuwaiti Jiu-Jitsu Champ Snubs Israeli Medalist, Spews Hate
A Kuwaiti jiu-jitsu champion made it clear he has no respect for Israel or its athletes. Gold medalist Jassim Alhatem refused to shake Israeli bronze medalist Yoav Manor's hand during a medal ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Friday, then doubled down with hateful rhetoric in a video that went viral on social media.
Class vs. Contempt on the Podium
Manor earned his bronze medal the old-fashioned way: hard work and grit. He won three of his four bouts in the men's blue belt amateur under-77kg division at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour. Alhatem took gold by winning all four of his matches. But when it came time for the traditional sportsmanship moment, Alhatem showed his true colors.
The Kuwaiti athlete refused the handshake and wouldn't even stand for the winners' photo. Members of the Israeli delegation who were nearby reported that Alhatem told Manor point-blank,