Tajik judoka Loik Kutbuddinov (60 kg) won a silver medal at the World Cadet Judo Championships (U-17) Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025, which took place from August 27 to 30 in the capital of Bulgaria.
The young talent won a series of bright victories and reached the finals, where he lost to Ernur Batyurgali, the representative of Kazakhstan, in the decisive battle.
Loic's path to silver was not easy: The 1st round was a victory over Cypriot Nestoras Hadjiannis, the 2nd round was a confident fight against Algerian Muhammad Amin, the 1/8 finals were a victory over American Liam Kesler, the 1/4 finals were a success in a duel with Estonian Artak Azarumyan, the 1/2 finals were a bright victory over Japanese Toyoi Hashima.
The final bout against Batyurgali ended in defeat, but it was this silver medal that became a historic achievement, strengthening the position of Tajik judo on the world stage.
The tournament brought together more than 550 athletes from 71 countries, including the leading national teams of Japan, France, Brazil, South Korea, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Tajikistan's national team consists of six judoka: Haidar Mahmadsharifov (55 kg), Loik Kutbuddinov (60 kg), Mukhammadesin Sulaimonov (66 kg), Bobojon Sharopov (73 kg), Abubakr Abdujalilzoda (81 kg) and Madina Kurbonzoda (52 kg).
The only representative of Tajikistan among girls, Madina Kurbonzoda (52 kg), had a good tournament and took fifth place in the world. She confidently completed the first laps: in the opening bout she defeated Serbian Angela Simih, in the second round she defeated American Aubrey Genereux, in the 1/8 finals she defeated Moroccan Amina Cherifi, in the 1/4 finals she stopped Frenchwoman Alice Lopez.
In the semifinals, Madina lost to Sofia Cordova of Sweden, and in the decisive battle for bronze she lost to Nicola Marcues of Brazil, completing the top five in the world.
Haidar Makhmadsharifov (55 kg) won two fights – against Macaosan Tongan Hou Hoi and Kyrgyzstani Marcel Tumonbaev, but lost in the third round to Azerbaijani Mahmadali Khusiev. The rest of the judoka will continue to perform.
