Daniel Boaron, a 13-year-old Israeli Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete, claimed gold in the under-14 division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s championship (Ne Waza) after his Emirati opponent, Ahmed Alketbi, was disqualified for making a throat-cutting gesture when celebrating his victory. Initially, Boaron had lost on points during the finals in Crete, Greece, but the gesture led the Israeli delegation to file an immediate protest, resulting in Alketbi’s disqualification.
The incident, captured on video by the Israeli team, showed Alketbi turning toward the audience and making the offensive gesture. The team quickly alerted the judges, with Daniel’s father and coach, Amir Boaron, leading the appeal. After two hours of deliberation, officials decided to disqualify Alketbi and award the gold medal to Boaron.
Amir Boaron stated, “Although [Alketbi] apologized and claimed the gesture wasn’t directed against Israel, rules are rules. Such behavior is unacceptable, and athletes who act this way shouldn’t win gold medals.”
Daniel, who competes in the under-48 kg (106 lb) weight class, expressed pride in his victory but emphasized the importance of sportsmanship. “I hope to face him again in the future and beat him fairly on the mat. Sports should never involve politics,” he said.
The elder Boaron revealed that hostility toward the Israeli team wasn’t new, citing negative reactions from athletes and spectators, particularly from countries like Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia. Despite this, he declared the team’s determination to proudly represent Israel, saying, “We’ll continue to ensure our anthem is heard.”
Daniel’s win not only highlights his athletic ability but also reinforces the importance of integrity and respect in sports, even amidst political and religious disputes.
