Iranian woman karateka Helen Sepahi was kicked out of the 19th World Karate Championship in Tokyo because she insisted on wearing Islamic sport clothing.

Sepahi walked onto the tatami mat to fight her Chinese opponent, but the officials insisted that she remove her hijab, even though men were present at the venue. The Iranian athlete refused and was expelled from the competition, in line with the international rules for the sport.

However, fans at Budokan Hall supported Sepahi’s decision.