Nasser Nasiripour, a judoka on Iran's national team, wrote on Instagram: 'I was not unpatriotic. I wanted to bring honor to my country. But after 12 years of struggle, I am quitting sports.' The Iranian judo champion stated after leaving the national team's training camp: 'I have never lost in the national championship. No opponent has scored against me, and I am ready to fight all competitors in front of reporters on any day the national coaches announce.' So what is the reason for his withdrawal? Nasiripour told ISNA news agency: 'I face numerous difficulties to reach the camps. I don't even have money for transportation, but the officials easily overlook our rights. I have no job and have dedicated my entire life to judo.' This judo champion emphasized: 'I have heard that the federation says we will not send Nasiripour because Mohammad Rashnonjad did not return to Iran. They think he might also go and seek asylum.' Nasiripour denied any desire for asylum, stating: 'Even when I am at the camps, my heart is with my parents. I want to bring medals for Iran, and the thoughts they have about me are completely wrong. I guarantee that if I am sent abroad, I will return to Iran.' However, it seems that the federation officials are not upset about Nasiripour's farewell, as they have not even contacted him to ask where he is or why he left the camp. This judoka claims that he has been a member of the national senior team for seven years and has only been sent to international competitions twice, while other team members are sent to foreign competitions every month. Mohammad Rashnonjad, a judoka who has sought asylum in the Netherlands after winning six Asian medals, has supported Nasiripour, expressing regret for a federation that 'loses such potential for free.' Rashnonjad wrote on Instagram: 'Nasiripour has defeated all his opponents in the national championship but was not sent to any competition. He has been wronged.' Rashnonjad emphasized: 'They say that because I, as his friend, did not return to Iran, Nasiripour will not return either.' The Judo Federation and its president, Sardar Derakhshan, have refrained from responding to this farewell or confirming or denying the issues raised by the judokas in the media.
Preventing the Dispatch of Iran's Judo Champion Due to 'Risk of Seeking Asylum'
Iranian judo champion Nasser Nasiripour announced his withdrawal from the national team due to neglect and concerns over potential asylum following a teammate's defection. Despite his achievements, he feels unsupported by the federation, which has not sent him to international competitions. This situation highlights the challenges faced by athletes in Iran amid political and social pressures.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Nasser Nasiripour announced his withdrawal from the Iranian national judo team due to neglect and fears of being denied international competition opportunities. His decision follows the asylum-seeking defection of a teammate, raising concerns about the treatment of athletes in Iran.
- Nasiripour has been a member of the national team for seven years but has only competed internationally twice.
- The Iranian Judo Federation has not communicated with Nasiripour following his departure from the training camp.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iranian athletes often face significant challenges, including lack of support from federations and political pressures that can lead to defection. The judo community is particularly affected by these issues.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 90%