A Saudi judo competitor forfeited her first round match at the Olympic Games to avoid going up against a rival from Israel, it has been claimed.

Joud Fahmy was supposed to have taken on Christianne Legentil from Mauritius for the right to take on Israel's Gili Cohen in the next round.

But before the clash, Saudi officials tweeted that she had injured her arm and leg during training and that medics had told her to pull out.

Joud Fahmy was supposed to have taken on Christianne Legentil (in blue) from Mauritius for the right to take on Israel's Gili Cohen (in white) in the next round

Afterwards, media outlets in Israel reportedly suggested that 22-year-old Fahmy was not injured.

According to the Times of Israel, Channel 2 broadcaster said she had dropped out to avoid a fixture against an Israeli.

Saudi Arabia and Israel have no official relations and the kingdom prohibits its citizens from travelling to Israel. It also does not grant visas to Israelis.

In the end, five-time Israeli champion Cohen, 25, was beaten by Christianne Legentil.

Fahmy was one of four women Saudi Arabia sent to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, doubling its female participation after two women competed for the first time at the 2012 London Games.

In the end, five-time Israeli champion Cohen (left), 25, was beaten by Christianne Legentil (right)

They include track and field athletes Sarah Attar, who competed in 2012, and Cariman Abu al-Jadail. Lubna al-Omair is also competing in the fencing.

In a first in 2014, a Saudi state school introduced sports for girls, after a call for lifting a ban on women in sports.