Israeli athlete Alon Leviev, 17, won a gold medal at the Ju-Jitsu World Championship in Abu Dhabi in November, beating an athlete from the United Arab Emirates’ capital city in the final after competing against athletes from Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Once the medals had been distributed, “Hatikvah” was blasted in the arena. Before the UAE changed its policy, Israel’s national flag and anthem were banned. Public outrage and the International Judo Federation intervened, forcing the UAE to treat Israeli athletes equally with their competitors.

Leviev participated in the junior division, 55-kilogram-and-under weight category.