The Tajikistan national judo team made a powerful start at the Asian Championship in Ordos, China, winning three medals on the first day. However, the main highlight was not just the number of awards, but their quality: for the first time in history, the final in one category was entirely Tajik.
The main event of the day was the 66 kg weight class, where two representatives from Tajikistan reached the decisive match. Emomali Nurali and Obid Dzhebov created a historic final, guaranteeing the country both gold and silver.
Nurali began his performance from the quarterfinals, confidently defeating a Mongolian athlete, and then overcame a Chinese representative in the semifinals. Dzhebov, on the other hand, had a longer journey, defeating opponents from North Korea, Mongolia, and South Korea.
In the final, it was all decided by one score — yuko. Emomali Nurali was more precise and composed, winning the gold medal, while Obid Dzhebov took silver.
This result was historic: for the first time in the history of the Asian Championships, two Tajik judokas met in the final of the same weight category. The last time Tajikistan won gold at the Asian Championship was in 2017, when Komronshokh Ustopiriyon excelled.
The third medal for the team was brought by Madina Kurbonzoda in the 52 kg weight class. She passed the initial rounds, defeating opponents from Hong Kong and India, but lost in the semifinals to a Mongolian representative. However, in the bronze medal match, Kurbonzoda gathered herself and defeated an athlete from Hong Kong, securing third place.
In the 60 kg category, Mehrzod Sufiev started the tournament with a victory but then lost in the quarterfinals to a Kazakh judoka. In the repechage round, he had a chance for bronze but lost to a representative from Uzbekistan, ending his participation.
The Asian Championship holds a high status in the IJF system and directly affects the global ranking of athletes. The tournament winner receives about 700 ranking points, the silver medalist — 490, and the bronze medalists — 350.
The Tajikistan male team includes: Mehrzod Sufiev (60 kg), Emomali Nurali, Obid Dzhebov (66 kg), Mukhiddin Asadulloev (73 kg), Somon Makhmadbekov, Behruzi Khodjazoda (81 kg), Mukhammadjon Abdujalilzoda, Shodmon Rizoiev (90 kg), Jahongir Majidov (100 kg).
The women’s tournament features four athletes from Tajikistan: Akhlia Mu’minova (48 kg), Madina Kurbonzoda (52 kg), Alexandra Kan (57 kg), Viktoria Kiseleva (+78 kg).
