The Grand Slam tournament concluded in Dushanbe on May 3. It featured 240 judokas from 34 countries. Tajikistan was represented by 40 athletes, four of whom won medals, three of which were gold.
Gold and Bronze on the First Day
On the first day of the tournament, May 1, Emomali Nurali, competing in the 66 kg weight category, after bypassing the first round, successively defeated Uzbek athlete Dilshodbeg Barotov, and then in the quarterfinals overcame Azerbaijani Islam Rahimov.
In the semifinals, he faced Russian German Kobets, showcasing mature and tactically sound judo.
In the decisive match, Nurali faced another Uzbek representative, Azizbek Ortikov. The final was tense, but the Tajik judoka proved stronger, finishing the bout early – a waza-ari secured him the gold medal at the home tournament.
Loik Kudbuddinov won a bronze medal for Tajikistan in the 60 kg category. His path to the podium was challenging and included intense bouts.
Starting from the second round, Kudbuddinov confidently defeated Mongolian judoka Sukhbat Byambasuren and then in the quarterfinals, in a tough “golden score” match, overcame Kazakh Nurdil Alzhan.
In the semifinals, the Tajik athlete lost to Russian Ayub Bliev but managed to regroup for the bronze medal match. In the fight for bronze against Frenchman Maxime Merlin, Kudbuddinov clinched victory in extra time and secured the medal.
This is the first medal for the Tajik athlete in Grand Slam competitions.
Also competing on the first day were other Tajik judokas: Ikrom Shamsov (60 kg), Mehrzod Sufiev (60 kg), Ramziddin Azizov (60 kg), Musanif Mirobov (66 kg), Obid Jebov (66 kg), Iskandar Makhmadkhojazoda (66 kg), Akhliya Muminova (48 kg), Nushin Jumayeva (48 kg), Maryam Nazarova (48 kg), Suhaylo Safarzoda (52 kg), Madina Kurbonzoda (52 kg), Zukhal Jumayeva (52 kg), Raykhona Rozikzoda (52 kg), Rakhmiya Khandjarbekova (57 kg), and Sabina Karimova (57 kg).
However, they did not reach the medals. Previously announced competitor Aleksandra Kan (57 kg) did not participate in the competition due to not making her weight category.
Two Golds on the Second Day
On the second day of the competition, gold medals were won by Mukhiddin Asadulloev and Somon Makhmadbekov. Maqsudi Akhmadzod and Sunatullo Musoyev placed fifth.
Mukhiddin Asadulloev in the 73 kg category began his performance from the second round and immediately set a high pace, defeating UAE’s Karim Abdullaev by three shidos.
In the quarterfinals, Asadulloev faced Uzbek athlete Inoyat Telmanov. The bout was tense and went into “golden score,” where the Tajik judoka managed to execute a successful hold (“osaekomi”) and advance to the semifinals.
In the 1/2 final stage, he once again showed composure, forcing Azerbaijani Rashid Mammadaliyev to receive three shidos. In the final, Asadulloev faced Russian Karen Galstyan, but here too the Tajik representative proved stronger, bringing the tournament to a logical conclusion – a gold medal at the home Grand Slam.
Somon Makhmadbekov also performed brightly, becoming the champion in the 81 kg weight category. His path to gold also began from the second round – a victory over Russian Taulan Baisiev set the right rhythm. In the quarterfinals, Makhmadbekov beat Kazakh Askar Narkulov, once again leading the opponent to three shidos. In the semifinals, he faced Frenchman Alpha Omar Djalo and achieved victory by “yuko” score.
The final bout against Austrian Bernd Fasching was a logical conclusion to a confident tournament. The Tajik judoka controlled the course of the match and won the gold medal, bringing another title to the team at the home tournament.
Also on the second day of the competition, other Tajik judokas: Binyamin Nazirov (73 kg), Abdullai Orif (73 kg), Maqsudi Akhmadzod (73 kg), Abubakr Bokiev (81 kg), Sunatullo Musoyev (81 kg), Bakhtiyor Bozorov (81 kg), and Jonona Nazarova (63 kg), but they finished the competition without medals.
Third Day – No Medals
On the final day of the competition, Tajikistan was represented by Tuychibek Sharipov (90 kg), Muhammad Abdudjalilzoda (90 kg), Umed Rajabov (90 kg), Saidrahim Rahimov (90 kg), Jahongir Majidov (100 kg), Mukhsin Malaev (100 kg), Abdulakhad Majidov (100 kg), Somoni Kishvarov (100 kg), Parviz Abdurakhmonov (100 kg), Umar Makhdonov (+100 kg), Mansur Rakhmon (+100 kg), Muhammadrasul Davlatov (+100 kg), and Viktoria Kiseleva (+78 kg).
None of them reached the medals.
The total prize fund of the tournament was 154,000 euros. Winners in each weight category (7 men and 7 women) received 5,000 euros, silver medalists – 3,000 euros, and bronze medalists – 1,500 euros.
Last year, Tajik judokas won 11 medals at the Dushanbe Grand Slam tournament. The competition featured 226 athletes from 27 countries. Tajikistan won 4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
