Team of Tajikistan concluded its participation in the 3rd Youth Asian Games with a historic result: 20 medals, including 2 gold, 3 silver, and 15 bronze.
The final day of the competition in Bahrain brought a milestone for the team — jiu-jitsu athlete Mustafo Qudriddinov (48 kg), coached by Komil Boimurodov, won a silver medal, marking the 20th medal for the country.
This performance represents Tajikistan’s best result in the history of the Youth Asian Games. Previously, the country’s highest achievement had been just two medals, earned in 2013 in Nanjing.
Tajikistan ranked 18th in the overall medal standings, joining 36 nations that left the tournament with awards. The Games brought together around 4,000 athletes from 45 countries, competing for 259 sets of medals across 26 sports disciplines.
Originally scheduled to be held in Tashkent, the Games were relocated to Bahrain and took place from October 22 to 31.
A standout moment of the Games was the debut of amateur MMA, which was included in the program for the first time. Tajik athletes excelled in this sport, winning 9 medals — including 2 gold. Fayziddin Khalilov (55 kg) and Umarjon Umed (70 kg) claimed championship titles.
Bronze medals were awarded to Umar Sharifov (50 kg), Muhammad Saidzoda (60 kg), Abubakr Bahromov (75 kg), Osim Begmurodzoda (60 kg), Muso Ibrohimzoda (80 kg), and female fighters Mehrona Qalandarbekova (55 kg) and Marhabo Boboyeva (60 kg).
Judokas also contributed to the medal tally: Yusuf Zamonov won silver (50 kg), while Yusuf Iskandarzoda (66 kg) and Zuhal Jumayeva (52 kg) earned bronze.
In freestyle wrestling, Alirizo Bahromov (80 kg) took bronze, and in kurash, Abubakr Turayev (65 kg) secured another bronze.
Tajik taekwondo athletes added to the national success as Jonibek Nigmattov claimed silver in the over-73 kg category, and Abdujafar Bahodur earned bronze in the 55 kg class.
Boxers brought in three bronze medals: Furugh Sarhaddzoda (60 kg), Damir Nazarov (46 kg), and Abubakr Azizov (60 kg).
Mustafo Qudriddinov’s silver medal in jiu-jitsu not only capped the country’s medal haul but also marked a historic first podium finish for Tajikistan in this discipline at such a high level.
Tajikistan was represented in Bahrain by 65 athletes across 12 sports — from athletics to esports. For many, it was their first international competition at this level.
China topped the medal table with 147 medals (63 gold, 49 silver, 35 bronze). Uzbekistan finished second with 81 medals, and Kazakhstan placed third with 93.
Tajikistan’s 18th-place finish marks its first time entering the top 20 nations of the continent.
The next, 4th Youth Asian Games will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2029.
