ByDarren Witcoop, Darren Witcoop
Or Sasson has won a Israel's second bronze medal of the Rio Olympics.
The Israeli judoka won a consolation round in the men's 100 kilogram plus weight class.
Sasson defeated Cuban Alex Garcia Mendoza, shortly after losing a sem-ifinal match to world champion Teddy Riner.
Sasson follows judoka Yarden Gerbi in celebrating with a podium finish.
Sasson's medal came hours after an incident involving Egyptian judoka Islam el-Shahabi, who refused to shake Sasson's hand as is customary following their a match. The crowd responded by booing the Egyptian.
Egypt's Olympic Committee later said that the el-Shahabi made the decision not to shake Sasson's hand on his own, and that he had been “alerted before the match to abide by all the rules and to have sporting spirit during his match with the Israeli player.”
MK Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid), who heads the Knesset's Sports Lobby, congratulated Sasson on winning the medal.
He said: "The Israeli Olympic team is a delegation of great athletes. Or Sasson's winning of a medal proves that Israel is a legitimate and respectable country when it comes to sports.
"After an exceptional day of matches, the raising of the Israeli flag in the biggest sporting arena in the world for a second time and Sasson standing on the podium are proof that Israeli sports can handle any challenge.
“At a time when Israel's position in the world is deteriorating, and athletes refuse to shake hands with their Israeli opponents, such sporting achievements are the best answer to all our critics around the world and especially in countries that are trying to delegitimize Israel."