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Israeli Judo Champ Was Denied Flag And National Anthem By UAE, But He Proudly Sang It Alone

byStorypickers
27th October 2017
2 minute read

Sports is one arena where nothing else should matter. Politics, nationalities, enmity- nothing. The game is supposed to be beyond all that. However, this is most certainly never the case. Ideologies take precedence and the game becomes another tool to one-up the other.

This was seen when Tal Flicker, an Israeli Judo fighter won the Gold medal in the UAE Grand Slam tournament. He has been declared the #1 Judo fighter in 2017 in the under 66 kgs category.

UAE as a country doesn’t have diplomatic ties with Israel. The sportsman had to wear the uniform of the International Judo Federation (IJF). He even had to receive his medal under an IJF flag.

The winning sportsperson always has the national anthem of his country bellowing proudly after he wins. However, Tal Flicker could not receive that honour. But watch the video to be amazed at what he does instead.

After the video became viral on social media the humbled player shared a heartwarming message on why he sang saying, “In my heart, I sang the national anthem, I’m proud of my country.”

Netizens have been very moved by this video and some of the reactions are below.

1. Hero and winner in its truest sense.

2. He deserves a standing ovation.

3. Heartwarming.

4. Wait, is that the discussion?

5. Really gives us some perspective.

His act has reinstigated the patriot in me and many others. Sportsmanship should go beyond nationalities, ideologies, and politics. And the player must be respected for his game and his game alone.

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