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

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.

The Israeli national anthem, 'Hatikva,' was played in the Japanese capital as 27-year-old judoka Sagi Muki stood on the podium.

Nili Block, Israel's three-time World Champion in the Thai boxing sport of Muah Thai, was 'not surprised' that the Iranians are going back on their word.