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Or Sasson awaiting VISA for World Open Championships in Morocco

Or Sasson awaiting VISA for World Open Championships in Morocco

8 Nov 2017 15:50
Jerusalem Post
Paco Lozano / Judo y Otros

Or Sasson left Israel for Munich on Wednesday, but won’t be able board a flight to his final destination in Morocco as the organisers of the Openweight World Championships in Marrakech have yet to provide a letter of official confirmation regarding his participation, a necessary prerequisite to his travel visa. Or Sasson is one of the main prospects to fight nine-time World Champion Teddy Riner for the world title.

Israel’s bronze medalist from the Rio Olympics is scheduled to compete at the Openweight World Championships on Saturday, but at best will only arrive in Marrakech on Thursday night. Nevertheless, Israel Judo Association chairman Moshe Ponte, who is traveling with Sasson and men’s national team coach Oren Smadga, is confident the matter will be resolved once the President of the International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, arrives in Morocco on Thursday.

Unlike the situation ahead of last month’s Abu Dhabi Grand Slam event, Sasson, Smadja and Ponte have already acquired their visas, and with the championships being an openweight event, Sasson doesn’t need to arrive early in order to be weighed.

A record amount of prize money will be on the table at the Openweight World Championships, meaning all of Sasson’s top rivals will be participating, including Teddy Riner of France, the two-time defending Olympic champion and nine-time reigning world champion who hasn’t lost a bout since September 2010.

The year the European Championships will be organized in Tel Aviv in April.

Read all stories from Marrakech

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