Somon Mahmadbekov, the top judoka in Tajikistan in the -81kg category, has won the bronze medal for Tajikistan in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by defeating Antonio Esposito of Italy.
On his way to the quarterfinal, Somon defeated Palestinian judoka Fares and Frank De Vita of the Netherlands.
In the quarterfinal, Somon lost to the reigning world champion, already three times world champion, Tato Grigalashvili of Georgia.
In the repechage round, Somon Mahmadbekov defeated Uzbek judoka Sharofiddin Boltaboyev that allowed him to fight for bronze.
The repechage allows the losers from preliminary rounds to stay in contention for a medal by providing them a second opportunity.
In the fight for bronze, Somon Mahmadbekov yesterday defeated Italian judoka Antonio Esposito.
Thus, Somon Mahmadbekov repeated the result 16 years ago, when known Tajik judoka Rasoul Boqiyev brought the bronze medal for Tajikistan in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing by defeating Dirk van Tichelt of Belgium. It was the first Olympic medal of independent Tajikistan.
Recall, Somon on May 9. 2024 won bronze in -81kg category at the IJF World Championships Seniors Individuals in Abu Dhabi, defeating Georgian athlete Dimitri Gochilaidze in the fight for third place in -81kg category. It is to be noted that in the quarterfinal, Somon defeated Tato Grigalashvili. By the way, Tato Grigalashvili won gold in -81kg category at the IJF World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
On April 20, 2024, Somon won bronze in -81kg category at the Asian Championships Individuals 2024 in Hong Kong.
