Lebanon – Lebanese kickboxing champion Nassib Hamada has been banned from competing in the WAKO World Championship in Uzbekistan after he broke and stepped on the ‘Israeli’ flag during the opening ceremony in protest.
Hamada said he took the action after noticing that the Palestinian flag was excluded from the event while the ‘Israeli’ flag was displayed, despite the participation of athletes from Palestine.
“I did this as a rejection of hypocrisy and dehumanization,” Hamada stated, emphasizing that his act represented “dignity and solidarity.”
According to reports, the ‘Israeli’ embassy demanded Hamada’s suspension from the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), which later informed him that he would be banned unless he issued a formal apology. Hamada, however, refused to comply, saying, “Even if they were to take my life, I will never apologize.”
The Lebanese athlete described his actions as an honor rather than a mistake, dedicating his protest to both Lebanon and Palestine, and urging “all free people” to take similar stands against oppression and injustice.
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The incident has sparked widespread discussion across social media, with many users praising Hamada for his courage and principled stance, while others criticized WAKO’s decision as an overreach into political expression.
The WAKO World Championship continues in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but Hamada’s suspension has cast a shadow over the tournament, highlighting the ongoing intersection of sports, politics, and global solidarity movements.