An Iranian judoka has reportedly fled to Germany after being ordered to pull out of a tournament because he might face an Israeli opponent later in the competition.

Saeid Mollaei said he was instructed to deliberately lose his match against a Russian rival in the third round of the World Judo Championships in Tokyo. The demand was reinforced by security services officials who came to his family’s home in Iran and spoke to his father.

Iran's longstanding position has been to avoid competitive sporting fixtures against Israeli athletes.

Mr Mollaei was eventually eliminated in the semi-final of the tournament, one stage short of an encounter with Israeli judoka Sagi Muki, who won the gold medal.

“I could have been the world champion. I’ve been training hard, making lots of efforts,” the Iranian athlete told the International Judo Federation’s (IJF) website.

He continued: “The National Olympic Committee of Iran and the Sport Minister told me to not compete, that I had to comply with the law.

“I am a fighter. I want to compete wherever I can. I live in a country whose law does not permit me to.”

Mr Mollaei is now reportedly to be in Berlin. Germany’s foreign ministry refused to comment when asked by the AFP news agency whether he was preparing to apply for asylum.

IJF president Marius Vizer said it was possible that he could now compete in next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo independently of Iran.

Two judoka from Congo competed as part of a new Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.