ARTS AND CULTURE

Saeid Mollaei

Athlete

Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei -- who refused to return home after being ordered by the Tehran regime to withdraw from the 2019 World Judo Championships to avoid facing an Israeli opponent -- showed his gratitude to the Jewish state at the Tokyo Olympics in dramatic fashion. Mollaei dedicated his silver medal to Israel after competing in the final of the men’s judo 81-kilogram division on Tuesday at the Tokyo Olympics. "I hope the Israelis are happy with this win," Mollaei said, adding in Hebrew: "Todah (thank you)." Mollaei, who now represents Mongolia, trained with the Israeli judo team, including his friend and fellow judoka Shagi Muki. “I have trained with the Israeli team and they have been very kind,” Mollaei said. “That is something I will never forget.” (Photo: Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon)