Teşeleanu, a former vice-president of the Romanian Judo Federation who is head of the Pantheon Sports Club in Constanta, picked up the IJF gold plaque at the organisation’s gala dinner here.

The award was in recognition of his contribution to a Ukrainian children project which has provided 300 young judoka with shelter, food and education after fleeing the war-torn country.

"Thank Mr President and the judo family for this award," said Teşeleanu.

"Our sport promotes peace, but peace is not automatic.

"We have to all work for it together.

"We must believe in this."

Ukraine has boycotted the World Judo Championships in Qatari capital Doha in protest of the IJF’s decision to readmit Russian and Belarusian judoka as individual neutral athletes.

Speaking at the gala dinner, IJF President Marius Vizer insisted that "sport is about social integration and is not a place for politics and discrimination".

Qatar Olympic Committee President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, Mustapha Berraf, head of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, Uzbekistan Sports Minister Adkham Ikramov and Indonesian Olympic Committee President Raja Sapta Oktohari were among the officials that attended the dinner.

Branislav Crnogorac, head of the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also received the IJF gold plaque in recognition of his services to the sport.

Jörn Becker and Vahid Sarlak were the other recipients of the award after being praised for their dedication to the international refugee team that are preparing for next year’s Olympics in Paris.

"Despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced, they show the world their contribution to society through their talent and, most importantly, through their strength of human spirit," a statement from the IJF read.

Becker said: "Thank you all for your support for this refugee team.

"Thank you for the invitation to Qatar.

"Thank you Mr President, you are the head and heart of this team."