Judo: Japan judo chief Yamashita shocked by word Iran pressured judoka

All Japan Judo Federation President Yasuhiro Yamashita said Sunday he was astonished to hear about the heavy pressure that Iran's government put on one of its nation's judoka to lose a match at the judo world championships in Tokyo.Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei has reportedly left to seek asylum in Germany. According to Yamashita, Mollaei told the International Judo Federation that Iran's government had threatened to kill his family if he did not withdraw."I was extremely surprised to hear this," Yamashita said.Mollaei did not withdraw but lost his 81-kilogram semifinal against Belgium's Mat…READ FULL ARTICLE