Moroccan Judo Federation Bars African Champion from World Championships and Olympics

These great ambitions have been thwarted by an unfortunate decision of the Royal Moroccan Judo Federation, which has banned him from participating in continental and international competitions.

According to statements from a close friend of the Moroccan champion, a heated discussion between the latter and the technical director of the national team is the cause. For the Federation, the decision follows the unforgivable, unsportsmanlike and unethical behavior of the young athlete.

Originally from Salé, Issam Bassou started Judo in 2003, before winning several titles in national competitions. In 2015, he won the gold medal at the African Youth Championship in Sharm El-Sheikh, then the bronze medal in Cairo in 2017, before setting foot in Europe in February 2018, where he won the bronze medal at the Oberwart Championship in Austria.