A Sudanese Judoka withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics to avoid potentially facing an Israeli opponent.

Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool did not show up to face Israel's Tohar Butbul in the men’s 73-kilogram division despite weighing in for the bout earlier, becoming the second athlete to drop out of the Olympic before Butbul.

Abdalrasool became the second athlete to drop out of the Olympic before facing Butbul, following in the footsteps of the Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine, who was sent home from the Olympics.

Nourine preferred to withdraw from a possible confrontation against Butbul, citing his support for the Palestinian question as the reason behind his decision.

“We were unlucky with the draw. We had an Israeli rival and that is why we had to withdraw. We have made the right decision," said Amar Benikhlef, Nourine's coach.