Israel's women's Judo team is currently holding a training camp in Valencia, Spain. This week, a surprising guest arrived for the morning training. The guest was Mohammed Kassemi, who was born in Tehran and practiced judo in his youth but 16 years ago had to leave his homeland because of the regime. He went to California, where relatives who had left Iran a few years earlier were waiting for him, and today he lives in the United States and coaches children.
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Over the years, he has fallen in love with Israeli judo and especially with the women's team. He follows every competition. He has met Olympic bronze medalist Yarden Gerbi twice, was excited to see Inbar Lanir win the world championship recently and now, for the first time, he got to see the team, face to face, in action!
Video: Inbar Lanir competes in Hungary / Credit: Israel Judo Association
"I am very lucky to meet the women's national team and coach Shany Hershko", Kassemi told Israel Hayom, "I just admire their hard work, I don't miss a single competition. Especially, after I left Iran at the age of 26, because of the difficult situation."
Q: What do you know about the Israeli national team?
"I know all the athletes on the men's and women's national teams, but I especially love the women's national team. They have been so successful lately, and I have so much respect for the coaches. Shany is doing a great job and the results are clearly seen. It was fun to watch Sagi Muki do judo, but my favorite was Jordan Jarbi."
Q: What do you think about Muki and the Iranian Saeid Mollaei in the World Championship?
"Remembering this gives me goosebumps. I was hoping to see them both in the final at the Tokyo Olympics, but that didn't happen. Saeid came to Israel and broke the taboo between Israel and Iran. Both countries have a rich culture and I have no doubt that one day there will be peace between the countries, I'm just sure of it."
"We need more peace all over the world, and seeing Saeid arrive in Israel opened the door for more Iranians to compete in the Grand Slam competition in Tel Aviv. Maybe more will come to train and compete, and maybe one day Israelis will also come to Iran to train and compete. It may not happen in six months, but eventually it will happen."
Q: Do you really believe that?
"90% of Iranian residents have no problem with Israel, especially with Israelis. The remaining 10% who support the government receive government funding, and therefore, are unable to express a different opinion."
Kassemi waited and watched the entire national team's training. At the end, he asked to take a picture with coach Hershko and judokas Inbar Lanir and Raz Hershko. He will surely have many experiences to talk about in his new home in the United States.
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