Judo champion banned for five months after 'religious gesture' made during the Olympics
Judo star Nemanja Majdov has been banned for five months from the sport after he made the sign of a cross as he took part in the Olympic Games earlier this year.
Making a religious gesture while competing is a breach of the organisation's rules, leaving the 28-year-old sidelined from his beloved sport until next year.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) slapped Majdov with the punishment after an investigation into the matter following his Olympics battle against against Greek athlete Theodoros Tselidis.
He was told by the IJF that he 'showed a clear religious sign when entering the field of play' when he put his hands together in prayer and made the sign of a cross.
Nemanja Majdov has been banned from judo for five months
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Footage emerged of the Majdov making the gesture on July 31 while competing at the Paris Olympics.
But the judo athlete was unapologetic, only saying he was 'sorry that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen to such things'.
And Majdov is already making plans for his grand return to judo and posted a lengthy statement on Instagram.
He wrote: "15 days ago I received a decision that I was suspended for 5 months by the World Judo Federation (IJF) for violating their religious codes. More precisely, because of baptism when entering a match at the Olympic Games.
"I was banned from participating in all tournaments, camps and preparations.
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"True, in the defense letter of the disciplinary proceedings I did not want to apologize for the baptism, and of course I did not, nor will I ever, although I did not even know what the punishment could be.
"The Lord has given me everything, both for me personally and for my career, and he is number 1 for me and I am proud of that.
"And that will not change under any circumstances. Glory to Him and thanks for everything.
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Nemanja Majdov made a prayer gesture before making a cross with his hands
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"Nothing new for me personally, just a new page in my career and a new life experience. I'm sorry that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen to such things.
"God gave me a great career, 7 European and 3 world medals. When I started, I dreamed of getting at least one big medal and succeeding in my life and the life of my family, who sacrificed everything for my career.
"He gave us a lot more, and even borrowed too much so that I would bow my head in front of them when it came either-or.
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"We will rest until then, and then we will return with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new beginning and new victories."
Majdov has won several medals in judo in the past, having won a gold medal at the 2017 World Judo Championship in Budapest.
A year later, he landed silver at the 2018 European Judo Championships in Tel Aviv before repeating the feat at the 2022 Judo Grand Slam in the same city.