Paris bronze medalist Babulfath, 18, protested the referee’s decision in the semi-final and did not leave the mat after his loss.
The Swedish judoka who won Olympic bronze in Paris Tara Babulfath has been suspended for three months, reports SVT.
Babulfath, 18, protested the referee’s decision in the semi-final and remained standing on the tatami even after the match ended.
In the semi-final, Babulfath lost to the three-time world champion Natsumi to Tsuonoda. The Japanese won the 48-kilogram match with a score of 10–0, when the Swede was disqualified in overtime due to the third penalty.
– I certainly wouldn’t have reacted the same way as I would to a normal competition, but the Olympics are every four years. There is so much behind it, a four-year goal that has been constantly worked towards, Tara Babulfath admitted to SVT.
The Disciplinary Committee of the International Judo Federation placed Babulfath on a suspension from July 30 to October 30. During the suspension, Babulfath’s training will be restricted. Among other things, he cannot participate in the foreign camps of his sport.
Babulfath commented on the situation in his Instagram post and said that he disagreed with the judge’s decision.
– I wanted the judges to do a video review. I have great respect for Tsunoda and consider him a great judoka. My reaction was not directed at him, Babulfath wrote.
You can check out Babulfath’s Instagram post below.
In the bronze match of the Paris Olympics, the Swede defeated Kazakhstan Abila Abuzhakynova 10–0 and secured the country’s first Olympic judo medal in history. Despite the ban, Babulfath keeps his medal.
Babulfath is also this year’s World Cup bronze medalist.