TOKYO: Japanese media praised the decision by 萝莉视频n Judoka Tahani Al-Qahtani to play against Israeli Raz Hershko in the first round of the 78-kg class at the Tokyo Olympics Games on Friday.

Japan鈥檚 Asahi newspaper reported that the match 鈥渉ad drawn attention鈥� after two athletes from Algeria and Sudan refused to play against their counterparts from Israel.

鈥淎l-Qahtani was admitted by the International Olympic Committee as a wild card and became the second 萝莉视频n female judo athlete to participate in the Olympics since the 2012 London Olympics,鈥� Asahi鈥檚 article stated.

Despite losing, the Japanese newspaper reported that the 萝莉视频n Olympic Committee highlighted Al-Qahtani鈥檚 upcoming bout on Twitter 12 hours before the match, confirming her participation against her Israeli opponent.

鈥淥n that day, whether Al-Qahtani will stand on the tatami mat attracted attention in her home country and other Middle Eastern countries.鈥�

The report added that the International Judo Federation commented in a post-match release, 鈥淭his game shows that sports can transcend political and external influences.鈥�

Meanwhile, Kyodo News Agency also reported on the Judo Olympic match, stating 鈥淪audi woman fights with Israel: Impress Social Change.鈥�

鈥淎rab countries often abstain from playing against Israeli athletes鈥�, but Al-Qahtani was proud to be a role model for women in her home country. Although she lost by one stroke in the back of her shoulders, she impressed the change in Saudi society.鈥�

The Japanese news agency quoted Hershko saying, 鈥淭he game has nothing to do with politics. It was a good match.鈥�

Al-Qahtani鈥檚 inclusion and stance was also praised by the International Judo Federation. In a post-match release, it stated: 鈥淭his match shows that sports can transcend political and external influences.鈥�