Nemanja Majdov, a judo representative of Serbia, announced on social media that he has been suspended for five months by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for violating their religious codes. The suspension came after Majdov made the sign of the cross before entering the arena at the Paris Olympic Games.
Nemanja Majdov won the Judo World Championship in 2017. He claimed the title in the under-90 kg category at the event held in Budapest, Hungary.
In his statement, Majdov wrote:
“Fifteen days ago, I received a decision that I have been suspended for five months by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for violating their religious codes. Specifically, for making the sign of the cross before entering the match at the Olympic Games. I am banned from participating in all tournaments, camps, and preparations. The truth is, in my defense letter for the disciplinary process, I did not want to apologize for crossing myself, and of course, I didn’t, nor will I ever, even though I didn’t know how severe the punishment could be. The Lord has given me everything, both personally and for my career, and He is number one for me, and I am proud of that. And that will not change under any circumstances. Glory to Him and thank you for everything. Personally, nothing new for me, just a new chapter in my career and a new life challenge. I’m sorry that such a beautiful and tough sport like judo has come down to things like this. God has given me a great career, seven European and three world medals. When I started, I dreamed of winning at least one major medal to succeed in my life and the life of my family, who sacrificed everything for my career. He gave us so much more, and has indebted me even more than I could bow my head to them when it came to a moment of ‘all or nothing.’ We will rest until then, and then, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will return to a new beginning and new victories. Love, Nemanja Majdov, your European and world champion,” wrote Nemanja.
Serbian judoka Nemanja Majdov expressed his deep disappointment after being disqualified early in the Olympic tournament in the under-90 kg category. Majdov was eliminated after receiving a controversial hansoku-make, or disqualification, following three penalties. His frustration was evident in a heated statement posted on Instagram.
Majdov began his announcement by saying, “Satanic scum, their seeds have been poisoned by the judge. To disqualify me after two minutes without giving me a chance to show anything… Is this what you consider values, sport, and the Olympics? Mere garbage men, that’s what you are. Every tear will come back to you, you cursed and satanic individuals.”
Controversial Judging and Disqualification
In the match, Greek judoka Teodoros Celidis, who later secured a bronze medal, competed against Majdov. The referee, Romanian Ioana Babiuc, awarded three shidos (penalties) to Majdov—the first two for inactivity and the third for allegedly ‘breaking the guard.’ The subjective nature of the first penalty category was evident when, with just 10 seconds remaining in the standard four-minute match, Celidis threw a punch without securing a grip on the lapel or sleeve, which is not allowed and should result in a yellow card.
Majdov requested a video review from the Romanian referee. He vented his frustration, stating, “That’s the only way you can stop me, bums. Judo is a ruined and corrupt sport. One hundred percent of the match outcome is controlled by the referees… Those willing to bow to them succeed. But you’ll never get that from me; I don’t need such a medal, you unfortunate garbage men. For four years, we’ve been silent in 15 qualification rounds to avoid being penalized at the Olympics, only to be sent home before even warming up. And to you journalists, I didn’t lose; no one defeated me. It’s more challenging to report that they disqualified me for three fabricated penalties. It’s not meant to be, they won’t allow it. Currently, the best don’t win in this sport; the Satanists decide who wins. I spit on all of it. I don’t know about the future. While these new rules persist, I don’t have any and don’t want to sacrifice my time for this sport because it makes no sense.”
Broader Discontent in the Judo Community
Majdov’s frustration is not isolated. Other judokas have also voiced concerns about the refereeing in Paris. Croatian judoka Katarina Kristo, who lost to Laura Fazlija in the bronze medal match for the under-63 kg category, shared her experience: “What can I do? Judges are there to judge, and I’m just a small pawn. I don’t know if I’m angry, disappointed, or furious. I feel strange and shocked. First, they took my waza-ari away, then I started celebrating the golden point, believing I had won a medal, only to be brought down by the decision on the third penalty.”
In Japan, the birthplace of Judo, the sporting public has called for their country to withdraw from the International Judo Federation (IJF) and return to the original Kodokan style. This movement was sparked by the controversial defeat of Hashimoto Soichi in the quarter-finals of the under-73 kg category.
These incidents highlight a growing discontent within the judo community regarding the current state of judging and the impact on the sport’s integrity.
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