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A 13-year-old Israeli jiu-jitsu prodigy, Daniel Boaron, claimed the gold medal in the under-14 division at the World Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s championships on Monday, after his Emirati opponent, Ahmed Alketbi, was disqualified for making a hostile throat-cutting gesture following what was initially a victory for Alketbi.
The dramatic turn of events unfolded during the under-48 kg (106 lb) weight class final, held in Crete, Greece. Boaron, who had lost on points to Alketbi during the match, was initially awarded second place.
However, members of the Israeli delegation immediately voiced concerns over Alketbi’s actions after the match. Video footage captured the Emirati athlete making a throat-cutting gesture toward the audience, a symbol widely regarded as a sign of hostility and aggression.
The Israeli delegation, including Daniel’s father and coach, Amir Boaron, quickly raised the issue with the event’s referees. “We went to the judges’ area and demanded that they disqualify the Emirati,” Amir Boaron recalled in an interview with Channel 12 News.
“After two hours of discussions, the judges and federation representatives decided to disqualify him and award us the gold medal.”
While Alketbi later apologized, stating that he meant no offense to Israel, Amir Boaron maintained that his opponent’s behavior was unacceptable, saying, “There are rules to being an athlete, and if you conduct yourself that way, you shouldn’t win a gold medal.”
He added that while the behavior of Alketbi was especially egregious, the Israeli delegation had become accustomed to encountering similar hostility at international sporting events, including negative reactions from some athletes and audiences from countries such as Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.
Despite the controversy, the young champion, Daniel Boaron, expressed his desire for future encounters with his opponent.
“I hope I’ll meet him again at the next final, to beat him on the mat, and to embrace him afterward, because he should know, you can’t bring politics into the sport,” Daniel said, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship over political tensions.
The World Jiu-Jitsu Federation event also showcased the strength of the Israeli delegation, with several female athletes winning gold in the under-21 division.
Maya Behar, 19, triumphed in the under-63 kg (139 lb) category; May Daniel, 18, took gold in the under-57 kg (126 lb) division; and Michal Baly, 20, claimed victory in the under-52 kg (115 lb) weight class. In the under-16 division, Zohar Sela and Lia Shalev, both 15, earned gold, while Rotem Ben Natan, 14, secured a bronze medal.
The Israeli team’s success at the World Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s championships highlights not only the nation’s growing dominance in the sport but also the resilience of its athletes in the face of adversity.
Despite the challenges posed by political tensions, the athletes continue to focus on their craft, proudly representing Israel on the global stage.