The new friends posed for a photo together in France and shared the picture with the world on Instagram!

'We think it’s amazing that sports can unite people. People should take these athletes’ courage as an example,' said the Israeli Judo Association spokesman.

The Iranian judo star had exposed the Tehran regime's pressure on him to lose a bout at the World Championships in Tokyo to avoid competing against an Israeli.

Iranian judokas have not only defected from the Islamic Republic, at least one of them is scheduled to compete in Israel.

The Iranian judoka defected to Germany to seek a life of freedom and escape his nation's ban on competing against Israelis.

The International Judo Federation banned Iran’s team until it promises to stop a long-running boycott of Israel.

Saeid Mollaei was forced by the Islamic republic to give up his chance to win the championship so as not to play against an Israeli. And he has had enough.

Iranian judoka admits the Islamic regime forced him to lose a match to avoid facing the Israeli competitor. More than anything, he wants to win the championship.