The first Saudi woman to compete at the Olympics may have bowed out after only 80 seconds on the judo mat on Friday but she was hailed as a heroine by many web-users in her homeland and given an enthusiastic reception by the Olympic crowd.

Only a week ago, softly spoken and shy teenager Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani had been labelled a “whore” on Twitter by some in conservative Saudi Arabia, but that criticism has been since drowned out by an outpouring of support and applause.

Her appearance had been in doubt due to wrangling days over whether judo authorities would allow her to wear an Islamic headscarf while competing, but in the end she entered the arena wearing something akin to a swimming cap.

“I’m really happy to be at the Olympics and proud to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thank all those who stood with me,” she told Reuters, clutching her older brother’s hand as they negotiated a media scrum.

Shaherkani, one of two Saudi women chosen to compete at the Games, was defeated in the first round of the +78kg judo category by Melissa Mojica of Puerto Rico.

READ ON: Saudi’s first woman bows out after symbolic show

143 Notes/ Hide

  1. ontopofyou reblogged this from glossylalia
  2. theycallmedamico reblogged this from reuters
  3. bakazaru7 reblogged this from aymiah
  4. actingcaptainhikarusulu reblogged this from polkadotsandpillows
  5. polkadotsandpillows reblogged this from reuters
  6. aymiah reblogged this from reuters
  7. amnestyinternationalub reblogged this from reuters
  8. wafagal reblogged this from reuters
  9. mymichelle242 reblogged this from opaul
  10. opaul reblogged this from chloabelle
  11. chloabelle reblogged this from rectumofglory and added:
    I’m glad this was figured out. I know the many criticisms of Saudi Arabia allowing women but I still really liked her.
  12. amalxd reblogged this from kenyatta
  13. rectumofglory reblogged this from reuters
  14. iamyourex reblogged this from kenyatta
  15. lannisterslie reblogged this from reuters
  16. kana-del-rey reblogged this from jaakaapissaan-se-fosforiloisto
  17. jukrakris reblogged this from jaakaapissaan-se-fosforiloisto
  18. theriverrunstoblack reblogged this from jaakaapissaan-se-fosforiloisto
  19. jaakaapissaan-se-fosforiloisto reblogged this from thatgeeklover
  20. effloreo reblogged this from reuters
  21. persephonigga reblogged this from reuters
  22. tapio4arteq reblogged this from reuters
  23. backformore06 reblogged this from reuters and added:
    I am SO HAPPY that she got to compete
  24. shepaintswithwords reblogged this from reuters
  25. mohammadhm reblogged this from reuters
  26. londinium2012 reblogged this from reuters