Judo World Championships 2009 in Rotterdam: Ammar Benikhlef absent

ALGIERS - The Algerian judo team flew Sunday to the Netherlands to participate in the World Championships 2009 in Rotterdam (26-30 August), without the Olympic silver medallist in 2008, Ammar Benikhlef, according to the Algerian Judo Federation (FAJ).

• "For unknown reasons so far, Benikhlef was absent at Algiers airport and did not therefore move to the Netherlands with his teammates," said the communications officer at the FAJ to the press agency APS, Ms. Zohra Mechti.
  
  "We tried to contact the athlete, but without success," she said.
  
  
• Ammar Benikhlef, 27, won last July in Pescara bronze medal in the MG 2009 in the category of -100 kg. For the Beijing Olympics, he won the silver medal in the -90 kg.
  
  If the withdrawal of Benikhlef is confirmed by the beginning of the competition in Rotterdam, the Algerian participation will be limited to four athletes men and four girls.
  
  Lyes Saker (-60 kg), Larbi Grini (-73 kg), Abderrahmane Benamadi (-81kg)
  and Lyes Bouyaacoub (-100 kg) will defend the Algerian colours alongside their female compatriots Meriem Moussa (-48 kg), Lila Latrous (-57 kg),
  Kahina Saidi (-63 kg) and Rachida Ouardani (-78 kg).
  
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.