Israeli judoka Tal Flicker: ‘Sport should overcome all the politics’

Story highlights

Israeli judoka admits experience at Abu Dhabi grand slam still feels "bittersweet"

Tournament organizers in UAE refused to raise Israel flag or play anthem

Israel hosting this week's European Judo Championships in Tel Aviv

IJF president meets Israeli prime minister

CNN  — 

As Tal Flicker prepares to fight for gold on home soil at this week’s European Judo Championships, the memories of the last time he stood upon the podium come flooding back.

Six months have passed since the Israeli triumphed in the half-lightweight division at Abu Dhabi’s IPIC Arena, a sporting feat blighted by geopolitics that generated headlines around the world.

“I think it is the same feeling; it is still bittersweet,” Flicker tells CNN Sport, having sung Hatikvah in quiet defiance when tournament organizers refused to play his country’s traditional national anthem.

“Of course, winning a gold medal at a grand slam was very sweet but, at the same time, sport and politics should not mix.

“I think sport should overcome all the politics.”

READ: UAE officials apologize to Israel judo team following handshake snub

Israel's Tal Flicker says he hopes sport can build bridges ahead of this week's European Judo Championships in Tel Aviv.

‘A positive experience for all participants’

Approximately 400 athletes from 44 nations are expected to travel to Tel Aviv for this week’s competition.

And Flicker isn’t the only one that hopes such discrimination – engendered because the UAE has no diplomatic ties with Israel and doesn’t recognize it as a state – never occurs again.

Former Olympic judoka Moshe Ponte, now president of the Israel Judo Association, believes the Championships offer a chance to showcase the nation on the 70th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to organize these important Championships,” said Ponte.

“We firmly believe that a Judo tournament should be a positive experience for all participants sportsmen, coaches, staff and audience alike.”

Tal Flicker quickfire questions

Proudest achievement?

  • Winning bronze at the Budapest 2017 World Championships.
  • Judo idols growing up?
  • I really liked the Japanese. They have a good technique and they are the best judo players in the world.
  • What can the sport teach people about life?
  • I think the most obvious aspect value is respect. Before you start the fight, you give a bow to show respect to the opponent. Then you fight like you want to eat each other. But then you bow again. Other sports could learn from that.
  • Toughest moments?
  • Not qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
  • Something not many people know about me is…
  • Away from judo, I like going to the beach. Israel has the most beautiful beaches in the world.
  • Judo is important to me because…
  • It’s everything in my life.
  • Hopes for the future?
  • Qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and winning a medal…gold!

    Sergey Soloveychik, president of the European Judo Union (EJU), issued a statement praising Israel’s heritage, predicting it would be a “joyful” occasion.

    “Israel has a successful history of staging important European events,” said Soloveychik. “I sincerely hope that these Championships will bring you a lot of positive emotions and bright impressions.”

    Flicker predicted the Tel Aviv tournament would run smoothly, calling it a “70th birthday gift” for his country.

    “I’m very excited to compete in Israel; it’s going to be an amazing event,” he said. ” I hope we will have more.

    “People don’t know how beautiful Israel is and how much we love judo, so I think everyone is going to enjoy it.”

    On the eve of the Championships, IJF president Marius Vizer met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and sports minister Miri Regev.

    “Sport should be a model of friendship, peace and solidarity for the new generations, in order to build a modern and stable world,” said Vizer, having discussed the possibility of organizing an IJF World Judo Tour event in Israel that’s open to all countries.

    Flicker has previously spoken passionately about his pride in representing Israel, writing on his official Facebook page last year: “With or without the flag, I will face the difficulties and any rival in front of me… Everyone in this world knows where we’re from and which country we represent.”

    He and his 11 compatriots competing at the elite international event in Abu Dhabi were forced to wear judo uniforms without the typical identifying symbols of their nationality – despite the International Judo Federation (IJF) contacting the president of the UAE Judo Federation insisting all delegations be treated “absolutely equally,” according to a letter obtained by the AP

    Vizer contended Flicker and the team had been treated well given the “delicate issues” between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, issuing a statement saying: “Sometimes with courage, respect and politeness, you can solve tensions and conflicts which have not been solved [for] many decades.”

    The UAE Wrestling, Judo & Kickboxing Federation did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

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    Building bridges

    With a moral code preaching a distinct set of ethics, judo is among the most popular sports in Israel, and accounts for over half of the country’s Olympic medals since it first competed as a nation in 1952.

    Flicker, who secured bronze at the recent Budapest World Championships and is aiming for gold at Tokyo 2020, believes success breeds success.

    “I think it’s about tradition,” he says. “The right people managing the sport. The right coaches.

    “Oren Smadja was the first [Israeli] man to win an Olympic medal for judo (bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games) and he’s now the national coach.

    “Success becomes something of a tradition.”

    READ: ‘Judo gives us hope in this fragile world’ - Yasuhiro Yamashita

    Flicker, a former world No. 1 in his -66kg division, also praises the values of the discipline.

    “I think the most obvious aspect you can take from judo is respect,” says the 25-year-old. “Before you start the fight, you give a bow to show respect to the opponent.

    “Then you fight like you want to eat each other. But then you bow again. Other sports could learn from that.”

    Flicker embraces fellow medalists Mikhail Puliaev (L), Hifumi Abe and Cazha Margvelashvili at the 2017 World Championships.

    This year alone has seen a unified Korean hockey team and two countries marching under the same flag at the Winter Olympics.

    Visit CNN.com/judo for more news and features

    Does the Israeli judoka ultimately see “the gentle way” as something that can heal longstanding rifts going forward?

    “Yes of course, most definitely,” says Flicker. “Not only judo, sport generally can build bridges.”