Amar Benikhlef

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amar Benikhlef
2008 Judo men's 90 kg.JPG
Personal information
Born11 January 1982 (1982-01-11) (age 40)

Amar Benikhlef (born 11 January 1982) is an Algerian judoka who competed in the middleweight division. He won the silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Biography[]

After a judoka he coached, Fethi Nourine, was selected to compete at the 2020 Summer Games in the -73 kg weight class, Nourine and Benikhlef each announced Nourine's withdrawal following the conclusion of the draw of competitors. They said the withdrawal was because they were supporting the Palestinian cause by not competing against Israeli Tohar Butbul, a much more accomplished judoka than Nourine and the # 5 seed in the tournament, whom Nourine was drawn to potentially face in the second round, had he won in the first round.[1][2][3][4] The IJF announced his and Nourine's immediate suspensions on 24 July 2021, pending a further investigation, and sent the two of them back home to Algeria from Tokyo.[5][6] The Federation explained:

"According to the IJF rules, in line with the Olympic Charter and especially with rule 50.2 that provides for the protection of the neutrality of sport at the Olympic Games and the neutrality of the Games themselves, which states that 'no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas,' Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef are now suspended and will face a decision by the IJF Disciplinary Commission, as well as disciplinary sanctions by the National Olympic Committee of Algeria back in their country.'"[4]

It continued: "Judo sport is based on a strong moral code, including respect and friendship, to foster solidarity and we will not tolerate any discrimination, as it goes against the core values and principles of our sport."[4] The Federation Disciplinary Commission will handle final sanctioning beyond the Olympics.[4][6]

Achievements[]

Year Tournament Place Weight class
2013 African Judo Championships 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2012 African Judo Championships 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2011 African Judo Championships 1st Middleweight (90 kg)
2011 WORLD MILITARY CHAMPIONSHIPS/GAMES 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2010 African Judo Championships 1st Middleweight (90 kg)
2008 OLYMPIC GAMES 2nd Middleweight (90 kg)
2008 African Judo Championships 1st Middleweight (90 kg)
2007 All-Africa Games 2nd Middleweight (90 kg)
2006 African Judo Championships 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2004 African Judo Championships 1st Half middleweight (81 kg)

References[]

  1. ^ "Judo athlete sent home from Olympics after refusing to fight Israeli".
  2. ^ "Algerian judoka sent home from Olympics after refusing to face Israeli opponent". Metro. July 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "Algerian judoka sent home from Olympics after refusing to compete against Israeli". The Guardian. July 24, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Algerian judoka suspended after quitting Olympics rather than facing Israeli opponent". Yahoo.
  5. ^ "Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine suspended and sent home for withdrawing to avoid Israeli". The Japan Times. July 24, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef: Disciplinary Sanctions". International Judo Federation.

External links[]


Retrieved from ""