Amar Benikhlef

Amar Benikhlef (born 11 January 1982) is an Algerian judoka who competed in the middleweight division. He won the silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In September 2021, Benikhlef was suspended for 10 years, until July 2031.[1][2]

Amar Benikhlef
Personal information
Born11 January 1982 (1982-01-11) (age 41)
OccupationJudoka
Sport
CountryAlgeria
SportJudo
Weight class–81 kg, –90 kg
Achievements and titles
World Champ.R16 (2011)
African Champ.Gold (2004, 2008, 2010,
Gold( 2011)
Olympic GamesSilver (2008)
Medal record
Men's judo
Representing  Algeria
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2008 Beijing ‍–‍90 kg
African Games
Silver medal – second place 2007 Algiers ‍–‍90 kg
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Tunis ‍–‍81 kg
Gold medal – first place 2008 Agadir ‍–‍90 kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 Yaounde ‍–‍90 kg
Gold medal – first place 2011 Dakar ‍–‍90 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Mauritius ‍–‍90 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Agadir ‍–‍90 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Maputo ‍–‍90 kg
IJF Grand Slam
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Tokyo ‍–‍90 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Paris ‍–‍90 kg
Mediterranean Games
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Pescara ‍–‍100 kg
Profile at external databases
IJF759
JudoInside.com31502
Updated on 30 May 2023.

Biography

After a judoka he coached, Fethi Nourine, was selected to compete at the 2020 Summer Games in the -73 kg weight class, Nourine and Benikhlef each announced Nourine's withdrawal following the conclusion of the draw of competitors. They said the withdrawal was because they were supporting the Palestinian cause by not competing against Israeli Tohar Butbul, a much more accomplished judoka than Nourine and the # 5 seed in the tournament, whom Nourine was drawn to potentially face in the second round, had he won in the first round.[3][4][5][6] The IJF announced his and Nourine's immediate suspensions on 24 July 2021, pending a further investigation, and sent the two of them back home to Algeria from Tokyo.[7][8] The Federation explained:

"According to the IJF rules, in line with the Olympic Charter and especially with rule 50.2 that provides for the protection of the neutrality of sport at the Olympic Games and the neutrality of the Games themselves, which states that 'no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas,' Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef are now suspended and will face a decision by the IJF Disciplinary Commission, as well as disciplinary sanctions by the National Olympic Committee of Algeria back in their country.'"[6]

It continued: "Judo sport is based on a strong moral code, including respect and friendship, to foster solidarity and we will not tolerate any discrimination, as it goes against the core values and principles of our sport."[6] The Federation Disciplinary Commission will handle final sanctioning beyond the Olympics.[6][8] In September 2021, Benikhlef was suspended for 10 years, until July 2031.[1][2]

Achievements
YearTournamentPlaceWeight class
2013 African Judo Championships 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2012 African Judo Championships 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2011 African Judo Championships 1st Middleweight (90 kg)
2011 World Military Championships 3rd Middleweight (90 kg)
2010 African Judo Championships 1st Middleweight (90 kg)
2008 Olympics 2nd Middleweight (90 kg)
2008African Judo Championships 1stMiddleweight (90 kg)
2007All-Africa Games 2ndMiddleweight (90 kg)
2006African Judo Championships 3rdMiddleweight (90 kg)
2004African Judo Championships 1stHalf middleweight (81 kg)

References
  1. "Tokyo Olympics: Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine and coach suspended for 10 years". BBC Sport. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  2. "Algerijnse judoka die weigerde tegen Israëliër uit te komen tien jaar geschorst". NU.nl (in Dutch). 13 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  3. "Judo athlete sent home from Olympics after refusing to fight Israeli".
  4. "Algerian judoka sent home from Olympics after refusing to face Israeli opponent". Metro. July 24, 2021.
  5. "Algerian judoka sent home from Olympics after refusing to compete against Israeli". The Guardian. July 24, 2021.
  6. "Algerian judoka suspended after quitting Olympics rather than facing Israeli opponent". Yahoo.
  7. "Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine suspended and sent home for withdrawing to avoid Israeli". The Japan Times. July 24, 2021.
  8. "Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef: Disciplinary Sanctions". International Judo Federation.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.