The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

The Japanese government has awarded the Olympic legend, Mohammad Ali Rashwan, the Order of the Emperor Akihito and the Order of the Rising Sun, Kyokukitsu Shu, in recognition of his active contributions to judo and in recognition of the significant role he plays in transmitting Japanese culture to Egypt.

Rashwan joins the list of Egyptians who have received this prestigious medal: Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, former Egyptian Foreign Minister, and Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, Egypt’s former ambassador to Japan.

The medal will be handed over to the Olympic champion at a ceremony held by the Japanese Ambassador in the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Japanese Embassy in Cairo.

After the announcement, we sat down with Rashwan and asked about this distinguished achievement and his success.

Mohamed Ali Rashwan, born on January 16th 1956 and raised in Alexandria, taught us what a real hero is really made of. Silver medallist in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Rashwan has shown us the core values of honour and respect, and that’s what judo represents.

The question is, what makes Mohamed Ali Rashwan famous? The answer simply is “his action towards his opponent”. In the LA Olympics open-weight final, the Egyptian took an unexpected action whereby he avoided targeting the injured opponent Yasuhiro Yamashita and took second place (he could have easily taken first place, but refused to play on his opponent’s weakness). One year after the LA Olympics, Rashwan won an award from the International Fair Play Committee for his conduct and the respect he had shown.

We asked Rashwan some questions to get a better grasp on his journey.

What is the purpose of learning judo, and what does the sport mean to you?

Rashwan stated that judo is considered a sport with special and unique features, as well as rituals that represent discipline. It’s the number one sport that teaches you discipline as it has a positive spirit and outcome. Judo taught Rashwan how to be on time and also how to respect everyone, especially the opponent he is playing against. It also taught him friendship and how to organise his time.

What must a beginner learn about judo?

In order for you to practice judo, you have to love it first, and it’s not just a sport to win but it’s a sport that builds a character and teaches you how to respect others; whether it’s your coach, parents, competitors, or friends. You have to care about your opponent, just like how you care about yourself.

What are the main methods of training or practice?

You have to learn the main methods on how to throw a move and how to defend yourself professionally, or avoid the move. All moves are named in the Japanese Language, as each move has a specific technique and also various ways of playing.

When were you born & raised, and how do you start judo?

Rashwan was born and raised in Alexandria, dates are January 16th 1956, He started at the YMCA then went to Smouha Club and stayed there until he retired. Rashwan began judo when he was 14 years old as his friend introduced him to the sport, at the time judo was called “wrestling of Japanese”. Only 6 months after Rashwan began practicing, he won first place in the Alexandria Tournament, and then first place in all Egypt. The prizes and medals kept on coming until he made it to the 1984 Olympics.

What is it like to be part of a multi-cultural family as your wife is Japanese?

The Rashwan family is divided into two cultures, where both customs and rituals are respected. The Japanese (where we personally love) is always to take off their shoes, make sure you’re on time, which is the exact opposite of the Egyptian culture, and also to always be seated on the table as a family. Rashwan has 3 children. His children have been raised on tv-shows and movies in Japanese as they know the language, but Rashwan mainly speaks Arabic and English, and a bit of Japanese. He also told us a bit about his wedding, of which they had two, one in Egypt and another in Japan. They are used to going back and forth to Japan, as are their children who go constantly.

What were you thinking when you chose not to hit the opponent in the Olympic Games in LA?

Mohamed Rashwan has won medals all over the world, but he knew that the Olympic Medal is the only medal that tells the history of the player. His only goal was to take that medal as he had been through so much training in Japan, he also liked to state that he first hated the Japanese food and referred to it as medicine, but, day-by-day, he got used to it for the sake of the Olympics. 

Being the last bout before the closing ceremony, Rashwan fought against a Japanese player named Yasuhiro Yamashita. Before starting the match, Yamashita had a severe leg injury, which Rashwan was aware of. Any player would have taken advantage and of this situation and played some moves on his injured leg, but Rashwan was against this. He lost and got the silver medal. People were a bit shocked, and the media asked Rashwan why he did not hit Yamashita on his injured leg. Rashwan simply replied: “neither my religion nor my morals would let me do this”. The media and audience were shocked with such an answer and gave him a round of applause, at the moment everyone left the gold medal winner and focused on Mohamed Rashwan.

What inspired you at the time to act in that particular way?

There was no inspiration said Rashwan, as much as there was “sportsmanship”. Where he believes that nowadays is completely different from when he was a young player, as now it’s more about competition and winners.

Rashwan has become an inspiration for us, and not just Egyptians but also Japanese. Usually, when he goes to Japan, he goes to schools and gives out speeches for kids as they want to show children that sport is more than just a game. 

After judo…

After retiring, Rashwan became a referee. He refereed international matches and was also a referee in the Olympics. He was able to coach generations, and after time, he started up his own business.