A tense moment erupted at the jiu-jitsu world championship in Bangkok on Friday during the final of the men’s 69-kilogram division. Israeli fighter Omri Haviv dominated his Kazakh opponent Aldiyar Saryk, who then lost his composure, kicked Haviv, and was immediately disqualified.
Despite the unsportsmanlike incident, Haviv — one of Israel’s top competitors — extended his hand in a gesture of sportsmanship, but Saryk refused to shake it and remained on the mat.
The moment the Kazakh rivals kick Omri Haviv
Haviv had reached the final after a series of impressive victories, showcasing skill and control throughout the tournament. The referee did not hesitate to issue the disqualification, officially confirming Haviv’s victory and securing him the gold medal.
Erez Elroy, chairman of the Israeli Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the win: “Omri is one of the most promising talents in the world. There’s nothing more uplifting than ending the final day of competition with a gold medal and the sound of Hatikvah as a weekend gift to the people of Israel.”
The Israeli anthem
The federation is now turning its focus to the upcoming youth world championship, which begins Saturday. “The success of our senior team this year will undoubtedly inspire our younger athletes,” Elroy added.