The opponent of the judoka who crossed himself at the 2024 Olympics expressed regret over the disqualification of his opponent

Serbian judoka Theodoros Tselidis, in a conversation with Match TV, expressed regret over the disqualification of the Serbian Nemanja Maidov, who crossed himself at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Earlier, Maidov reported on social networks that the International Judo Federation (IJF) suspended him for five months for making a religious gesture before his lost fight with Tselidis in the 1/8 finals at the 2024 Games. Then it became known that the punishment could have followed due to the fact that Nemanja spoke obscenely about the work of the fight judges.

— I respect Maidov as an athlete. It’s a shame he was suspended. I don’t presume to judge the motives for the removal. Thank God, the international federation did not disqualify him for a long time due to his services to the sport. I hope that after a while, Maidov will start fighting again,” Tselidis told Match TV.

Maidov is 28 years old. He is the world and European champion in the up to 90 kg category.

28-year-old Tselidis (formerly Fedor Tselidi) is a native of Vladikavkaz, now Theodoros represents Greece. At the 2024 Games he won a bronze medal in the up to 90 kg category.