One of the world’s most respected Brazilian jiu-jitsu experts and a global BJJ legend, Rafael Hubert, paid a working visit to Dushanbe. During his stay, the Brazilian master conducted a large-scale seminar for Tajik athletes and personally awarded new belts, confirming their progress, skill level, and readiness to advance further in the demanding discipline of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Hubert’s visit was made possible through the efforts of Komil Boymurodov, Tajikistan’s leading BJJ practitioner, national team coach, and founder of Team Boymurodov Gym. Over recent years, Boymurodov has been systematically developing Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the country, creating opportunities for Tajik athletes to train according to international standards and learn directly from world-class specialists.
Rafael Hubert is a prominent figure in the world of martial arts. A fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he is a multiple-time world champion and winner of European, Pan-American, and Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tournaments. He is also the founder of Barcelona Jiu-Jitsu and Emirates Jiu-Jitsu, and serves as head coach of Team Nogueira Dubai.
The seminar in Dushanbe was held in an intensive and hands-on format. Participants focused on modern BJJ trends, technical details, training philosophy, and the demands of international competitions. The highlight of the event was the belt-awarding ceremony — a milestone moment for many athletes, marking years of dedication, discipline, and hard work.
Speaking to Asia-Plus, Komil Boymurodov described the event as historic for the sport in Tajikistan.
“This is truly a historic day for Tajik jiu-jitsu. Rafael Hubert’s seminar was conducted at the highest level. New belts, new ranks, and most importantly, a stronger and more sustainable future for our sport,” he said.
Rafael Hubert also shared his vision for the future of jiu-jitsu in Tajikistan, emphasizing the country’s strong potential if development continues systematically.
“I have seen jiu-jitsu become a national sport in the UAE. I am confident that the work Komil is doing here can lead to the same result. Through competitions, training camps, seminars, and international tournaments, Tajikistan can make itself known to the world. My dream is to help turn jiu-jitsu into a national sport of Tajikistan,” Hubert said.
He also praised the warm reception in Dushanbe, noting that he felt at home and wished to “return this respect and trust through concrete actions.”
The ceremony at Team Boymurodov Gym marked not just the awarding of belts, but the beginning of a new chapter. Tajik jiu-jitsu is steadily strengthening its position and becoming increasingly integrated into the global BJJ community.
