Sometimes, the bravest victories happen off the mat.
In 2019, Iranian judo champion Saeid Mollaei was ordered by his government to lose on purpose—to avoid facing Israeli judoka Sagi Muki in the World Championships.
Instead, Saeid chose integrity. He walked away from his country, risking everything to stand for what sport truly means.
Fleeing to Europe, Saeid rebuilt his life. He later represented Mongolia, trained in Israel, and went on to win Olympic silver in Tokyo, dedicating it to Mongolia, Israel, and peace.
What began as an act of defiance became a symbol of friendship. Mollaei and Muki—once forced apart—became close friends, proving that sport can unite where politics divides. At Project Max, we celebrate athletes who lead with courage, integrity, and humanity.
Saeid Mollaei reminds us: real champions don’t just win titles — they win hearts.