LONDON — The first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in the Olympics was easily defeated Friday by a Puerto Rican opponent in a judo bout that lasted only 82 seconds.
Wearing a tight-fitting black cap after judo officials would not allow her to don a headscarf, Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani lost the one-sided match to Melissa Mojica.
Despite earning only a blue belt in the Japanese martial art, Shahrkhani wore a black belt to compete. She has been training for two years, mostly with her father, who is an international judo referee.
The 18-year-old Shahrkhani was mainly on the defensive, swatting away Mojica's attempts to get a grip. Shahrkhani seemed tentative and cautious on her feet and made little attempt to throw Mojica off balance.
Mojica eventually grabbed Shahrkhani on her collar and flipped her onto her back for a match-ending throw.
Mojica said afterward that all athletes are entitled to their religious beliefs and should be given an opportunity in judo.