Saeid Mollaei

{{Infobox judoka

| name = Saeid Mollaei

| image = Saeid Mollaei 2018.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Mollaei at the 2018 Asian Games

| residence =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|1|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Tehran, Iran

| alma_mater =

| height = 176 cm[https://en.asiangames2018.id/athletes/athlete/MOLLAEI-Saeid-3004674/ Saeid Mollaei]. asiangames2018.id{{cite web|title=Saeid Mollaei|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/athlete/saeid-mollaei|website=Rio 2016|accessdate=16 August 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817031105/https://www.rio2016.com/en/athlete/saeid-mollaei|archivedate=17 August 2016}}

| country = {{ubl|Azerbaijan {{small|(Since 2022){{cite news |last1=Cowen |first1=Thea |title=Azerbaijan welcome 2018 Baku World Champion to the team |url=https://www.eju.net/azerbaijan-welcome-2018-baku-world-champion-to-the-team |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=European Judo Union |date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514130628/https://www.eju.net/azerbaijan-welcome-2018-baku-world-champion-to-the-team/ |archive-date=14 May 2022}}}}|Mongolia {{small|(2019–2022)}}|Iran {{small|(2011–2019)}}}}

| weight_class = –81 kg

| rank = Black

| rank_ref = {{cite web |title=IJF Dan Grades Awardees |url=https://78884ca60822a34fb0e6-082b8fd5551e97bc65e327988b444396.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/up/2023/02/Liste_Grades_14022023-16764493-1676449342.pdf |website=International Judo Federation |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218112607/https://78884ca60822a34fb0e6-082b8fd5551e97bc65e327988b444396.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/up/2023/02/Liste_Grades_14022023-16764493-1676449342.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2023 |page=7 |language=en}}

| dan = 5

| club =

| coach = Dr. Mehrdad Hasanzadeh[https://web.archive.org/web/20160920031429/http://results.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=mollaei-saeid-1055790/index.html Saeid Mollaei]. london2012.com
Mohammad Mansouri

| retired =

| worlds_rank = 1

| worlds_year = 2018

| worlds_weight = Men's 81 kg

| regionals_type = AS

| regionals_rank = 2

| regionals_year = 2017

| regionals_weight =

| regionals_year2 = 2018

| regionals_weight2 = Men's 81 kg

| nationals =

| olympics_rank = 2

| olympics_year = 2020

| olympics_weight = Men's 81 kg

| highestranking =

| show-medals =

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Country| {{AZE}} }}

{{Medal|S| 2022 Jerusalem | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|G| 2022 Baku | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2022 Budapest | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2023 Antalya | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2022 Zagreb | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2024 Odivelas | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|Country| {{MGL}} }}

{{Medal|S| 2020 Tokyo | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2021 Bishkek | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2021 Tel Aviv | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2020 Budapest | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|Country| {{IRI}} }}

{{Medal|G| 2018 Baku | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2017 Budapest | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2018 Jakarta | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2017 Hong Kong | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2015 Kuwait City | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2016 Tashkent | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|G| 2018 Düsseldorf | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|S| 2017 Baku | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2017 Abu Dhabi | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2018 Ekaterinburg | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2019 Paris | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|G| 2019 Hohhot | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2015 Samsun | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2015 Ulaanbaatar | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2017 Tbilisi | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2017 The Hague | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2019 Zagreb | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

{{Medal|B| 2011 Beirut | {{nbnd}}73 kg }}

{{Medal|G| 2017 Baku | {{nbnd}}81 kg }}

| updated = 27 January 2024

}}

Saeid Mollaei ({{langx|fa|سعید ملایی}}; {{langx|mn|Саид Моллай}}; {{langx|az|Səid Mollayi}}; born January 5, 1992) is an Iranian-born Mongolian half-middleweight judoka. He was born in Tehran to ethnic Azerbaijani parents originally from Khoy.{{Cite web |last=AZE |date=2018-10-01 |title=Чемпион мира по дзюдо: я – азербайджанец из Ирана. ВИДЕО |url=https://aze.az/chempion-mira-po-dzyudo-ya.html |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=AZE.az |language=en-US}} Iranian authorities ordered Mollaei to lose intentionally in the semi-final at the Tokyo 2019 World Championships, so as to avoid a potential match in the finals against Israeli 2019 world champion Sagi Muki. In August 2019, he moved to Europe with a two-year visa from Germany, saying he was afraid to return to Iran after exposing and criticizing its pressure on him to deliberately lose in the World Championships. In December 2019, he became a citizen of Mongolia. He dedicated his 2020 Olympic medal to Mongolia, to the Mongol people, and to Israel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20210728-tokyo-games-freedom-flavoured-silver-medal-for-iranian-born-judoka-competing-for-mongolia|title=Freedom-flavoured silver medal for Iranian-born judoka competing for Mongolia|date=28 July 2021}}{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/olympics-israel-iran-judo-saeid-mollaei-b1892503.html | title=Iranian defector wins judo silver for Mongolia and dedicates Olympic medal to Israel | work=The Independent | date=30 July 2021 | accessdate=1 August 2021 | author=Justin Vallejo}} From May 2022 on, Mollaei represents Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |title=JudoInside - Saeid Mollaei Judoka |url=https://www.judoinside.com/judoka/81144/Saeid_Mollaei/judo-career |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=www.judoinside.com}}{{Cite web |title=Saeid Mollaei will fight for Azerbaijan |url=https://www.judoinside.com/news/5313/Saeid_Mollaei_will_fight_for_Azerbaijan |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=www.judoinside.com |language=en}}

Judo career

In 2001, at the age of 10, he entered the Persian Gulf Judo School run by Dr. Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, a judo instructor.

He won bronze medals at the 2015 and 2016 Asian Championships, and a silver medal at the 2017 edition. He was a bronze medalist at the Budapest 2017 World Championships, and a 2018 Baku World Championships gold medalist.[https://www.judoinside.com/judoka/81144/Saeid_Mollaei/judo-career Saeid Mollaei]. judoinside.com

He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 81 kg event, and was eliminated in the first bout by Khasan Khalmurzaev.

Iranian authorities, the Iranian Sports Minister and the presidents of the Iran Judo Federation and the Iran Olympic Committee, ordered Mollaei to intentionally lose in the semi-final at the Tokyo 2019 World Championships, so as to avoid a potential match in the finals against Israeli 2019 world champion Sagi Muki.{{cite web|author=PTI |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/international-judo-federation-iran-ban-refusal-to-face-israel-saeid-mollaei-arbitration-ijf/article29770340.ece |title=Judo Federation bans Iran for refusal to compete with Israel |work=Sportstar |date=2019-10-22 |accessdate=2019-12-10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-iran-suspended-from-international-judo-federation-for-boycotting-israelis-1.8017214 |title=Iran banned indefinitely from International Judo Federation for boycotting Israelis |work=Haaretz |date=2019-10-23 |accessdate=2019-12-10}}

In reaction, saying he was afraid to return to Iran after exposing and criticizing its pressure on him to deliberately lose in the World Championships to avoid a potential bout against Muki, in August 2019 he moved to Europe with a two-year visa from Germany.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-israel-sport/30134080.html|language=fa|title=داستان ناکامی سعید ملایی و اولین طلای جودوی مردان جهان برای اسرائیل |newspaper=رادیو فردا |date=29 August 2019 |last1=رستم‌پور |first1=مهدی }}{{cite news|title=Judo star left fearing for safety after defying orders from Iran|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/02/judo-star-left-fearing-for-life-after-defying-orders-from-iran|date=2 September 2019|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=22 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ijf.org/news/show/the-true-story-of-a-fight-for-life|title=The true story of a fight for life|website=International Judo Federation}}{{cite web|url=https://www.judoinside.com/news/3761/Germany_grants_refugee_status_Saeid_Mollaei |title=News - Germany grants refugee status Saeid Mollaei |publisher=JudoInside |date= |accessdate=2019-12-11}}

Iran's actions led the International Judo Federation (IJF) to indefinitely ban Iran from competition. The IJF disciplinary commission examining the case found that Iran's actions "constitute a serious breach and gross violation of the Statutes of the IJF, its legitimate interests, its principles and objectives." The ban will last until "the Iran Judo Federation give strong guarantees and prove that they will respect the IJF Statutes and accept that their athletes fight against Israeli athletes."

On 1 November 2019 Germany agreed to grant Mollaei asylum.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/50276766|title=فدراسیون بین‌المللی جودو: آلمان با پناهندگی سعید ملایی موافقت کرد|last=|first=|date=2 November 2019|website=BBC Persian|language=fa-IR|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=3 November 2019}} That month, he competed as part of the IJF refugee team at the Osaka Grand Slam.{{cite web|last=Einhorn |first=Alon |url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Iranian-judoke-Saeid-Mollaei-will-compete-in-Israel-next-month-report-609805 |title=Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei will compete in Israel next month – report |work= Jerusalem Post|date=2019-12-04 |accessdate=2019-12-10}} Muki congratulated Mollaei on Instagram for returning to judo and participating in Osaka in his first competition since the World Championships in Tokyo, and Mollaei, in turn, thanked Muki for his support and wrote: "Good luck to you all the time, my best friend." Mollaei also posted a photo of them standing together, and wrote: "This is true friendship and a win for sports and judo over politics."

On 16 November 2019, he received the Crans Montana Forum gold medal from Ambassador Jean-Paul Carteron for the difficult decision he took in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.judoinside.com/news/3736/Saeid_Mollaei_awarded_for_courage |title=News - Saeid Mollaei awarded for courage |publisher=JudoInside |date= |accessdate=2019-12-11}} The mission of the Crans Montana Forum is "Towards a more Humane World". In accepting the award, Mollaei said: "We must try to make a better world. A peaceful world, more equal, more friendly, and more fair."

On 1 December 2019, Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga (himself the chairman of Mongolian Judo Federation) offered him citizenship, which he accepted.{{cite web|url=https://www.judoinside.com/news/3765/Saeid_Mollaei_gets_Mongolian_passport |title=News - Saeid Mollaei gets Mongolian passport |publisher=JudoInside |date= |accessdate=2019-12-11}}

Mollaei arrived in Israel in February 2021 to compete at the Tel Aviv Grand Prix.{{cite news|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/14/iranian-judoka-and-dissident-saeid-mollaei-due-in-israel-for-tel-aviv-grand-slam/|title=Iranian judoka and dissident Saeid Mollaei due in Israel for Tel Aviv Grand Slam|date=February 14, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56099440 |title=Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei competes in Israel |publisher=BBC News |date=February 18, 2021}} He represented Mongolia at Grand Slam Hungary 2020 and won bronze medal in –81 kg category.

Mollaei trained in Israel with the Israeli national judo team in the months prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{Cite news|date=2021-02-17|title=יחזור לארץ: סעיד מולאי יתכונן לאולימפיאדה בישראל|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/sport/article/HknMUEcWd|access-date=2021-02-17|newspaper=Ynet|language=he|last1=אהרוני|first1=אורן}} He went on to win the silver medal in the men's –81 kg event.{{cite web|title=2020 Summer Olympics — Judo - Men 81 kg Schedule|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/judo/results-men-81-kg-fnl-000100-.htm|work=Tokyo 2020 Olympics|date=27 July 2021|access-date=3 August 2021|archive-date=5 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005101908/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/judo/results-men-81-kg-fnl-000100-.htm|url-status=dead}}