Wojdan Shaherkani

Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani ( Mecca , February 1 1996 ) is a Saudi Arabian judoka .

Shaherkani was the first woman ever, for Saudi Arabia at the Summer Olympics. She participated in the judo during the 2012 Summer Olympics inLondon . Shaherkani came out in the over 78 kilograms.

Shaherkani was using a wildcard invited to participate in the Olympics, even though they had no international experience and "only" had the blue band. With the entry of the athletes at the opening ceremony she received much attention. The participation of Shaherkani threatened not to go, because her father threatened to pull her back, if they do not at the judo headscarf might wear. The judo federation said initially that this was not allowed. It could be dangerous and inconsistent with the "principles and spirit" of judo. [1] Ultimately, if they do start with a special headscarf. [2] They lost the first game after a little more than eighty seconds by ippon by Melissa Mojica of Puerto Rico .