Taekwondo’s governing body is amending its rules to ban boycotts of competitors from Israel after a Jordanian refused to fight an Israeli earlier this year, the JC can reveal.

World Taekwondo has asked its technical committee to look into “updating” competition rules to guard against illegitimate withdrawals following a complaint from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) in July.

The sport was rocked by Maysir Al-Dahamsheh’s refusal to compete against Lipaz Hajama, 14, at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Maysir Al Dahamsheh teenage Jordanian competitor who refused to fight Israels Lipaz Hajama at world championships IMG 3988

Jordanian Maysir Al Dahamsheh, who refused to fight Israels Lipaz Hajama at world championships

Speaking to the JC, Ms Hajama claimed that other competitors had overheard Ms Al-Dahamsheh taking a phone call from the King of Jordan’s office telling her to withdraw.

“It was unfair to me and to her,” she said. “Somewhere I feel sorry for her because she wanted to go up to the battle and fight but because the King of Jordan didn’t allow her, she couldn’t.”

Al-Dahamsheh’s withdrawal, which triggered the UKLFI complaint, was praised by Arabic media as part of a wider boycott of Israeli sportspeople.

Two months earlier, Jordanian fencer Eyas Al-Zamer withdrew from the World Juniors Fencing Championship in the United Arab Emirates, where he was scheduled to face an Israeli athlete.

And in the summer of 2021, a Jordanian table-tennis player pulled out of the World Para Table Tennis Championships in Slovenia to avoid a match against an Israeli opponent.
World Taekwondo chiefs are keen to ensure there are no further withdrawals for non-sporting reasons. In an exclusive interview with the JC, the Israeli athlete who was left without an opponent in Sofia has spoken of her disappointment.

Lipaz Hajama aged 14 from Gedera in Israel 3-b

Lipaz Hajama

Ms Hajama, from Gedera, near Ashdod, said: “In Sofia, she wanted to fight but the King of Jordan ordered her not to fight against me because I am Israeli. I never spoke to her and I did not fight her. I think she feels that the medal was taken from her, even though she wanted to fight.”

Corbin Min, legal counsel for World Taekwondo, said that the Jordanian athlete had officially cited injury as the reason for withdrawal. But he added: “We have asked our technical committee to look into how to update our competition rules in order to better guard against possible illegitimate withdrawals from competitions”.

In the semi-final that followed, the Israeli athlete lost to a Thai opponent.
UKLFI director Sam Green urged other sporting bodies to follow World Taekwondo’s lead and tighten up rules on withdrawals.

Mr Green told the JC: “The sporting world needs to recognise it is faced with a concerted campaign to delegitimise any sporting contact with Israel.

“Only by being vigilant to it and uniting to face the undermining of sporting rules and ideals can it be seen off. UKLFI welcomes World Taekwando’s commitment to close loopholes and make it ever more difficult for rule-breakers to succeed in their aims.”

Mr Green pointed to World Taekwondo’s guiding vision that “peace is more precious than triumph” and that it aspires to “integrity, respect, tolerance, inclusiveness and leadership”.

He added: “Boycotting a fellow competitor was a hostile act devoid of integrity, respect, tolerance or inclusivity.

“Refusing to compete against a fully-qualified competitor who has earned their place in competition represents an absolute absence of sportsmanship and integrity. Refusing to compete against a particular opponent is a form of bullying representing psychological harassment.

“Furthermore, World Taekwondo is bound to ensure that no form of discrimination is allowed. Prohibited discriminations include race, creed, ethnic origin, religion, national, political birth or other statuses. Not taking action in this clear case of discrimination would be a breach of that clear commitment.

“Anyone taking part in a World Taekwondosanctioned or promoted event is subject to the Integrity Code of Conduct which requires players (and management) to act in good faith towards others and with mutual trust and understanding. To boycott an opponent is a breach of this obligation.”