The Tajikistan national judo team finished in first place in the overall medal standings at the international Dushanbe Grand Slam 2025, winning a total of 4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
The event, held from May 2 to 4 in the capital of Tajikistan, is part of the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour and is among the most important competitions of the season for judokas, according to the IJF.
An extended squad of 36 athletes represented Tajikistan—28 men and 8 women. In total, 226 judokas from 27 countries participated in the tournament.
On the first day of the Grand Slam 2025, Tajik judokas achieved impressive results, earning five medals.
Nourali Emomali, in the 66 kg weight category, defeated fellow Tajik Obid Jebov in the final with a koshi-guruma throw, earning an ippon.
Mehrzod Sufiyev, competing in the 60 kg category, lost in the final to Azerbaijani Balabay Agayev and took the silver medal.
Madina Qurbonzoda, in the 52 kg weight class, won a bronze medal, becoming one of the youngest medalists of the tournament.
Yosin Bobokalonov, in the 66 kg category, won his bronze medal bout against Turkmenistan’s Toyli Muradov.
On the second day of the Grand Slam, Tajik judokas added two gold and one bronze medal.
Muhriddin Asadulloyev, in the 73 kg weight class, defeated Erdenebayar Batzaya of Mongolia in the final to win his first Grand Slam gold medal.
Somon Mahmadbekov (Tajikistan), in the 81 kg weight class, beat Adam Tsechoev (IJF) in the final with a yuko score to secure the gold.
Abubakr Sherov, also in the 73 kg category, won a bronze medal after defeating fellow Tajik Behruz Khojazoda, who finished in fifth place.
On the third and final day of the competition, Temour Rahimov, in the over 100 kg weight class, claimed victory over Jamal Gamzatkhanov (Azerbaijan) in extra time with a spectacular ippon, sparking an enthusiastic reaction from the home crowd.
Jahongir Majidov, in the 100 kg category, lost the gold medal match to Jafar Kostoyev (UAE), who used an unusual ura-nage technique to win by ippon. Jahongir ultimately earned a silver medal.
Karomatullo Hakimov won a bronze in the 100 kg category after taking third place in his bout.
As a result, the Tajikistan national team finished the tournament at the top of the overall medal table, with a total of 4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
Grand Slam tournaments are among the highest-ranked events in judo after the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Masters. Competing in these tournaments allows athletes to earn significant ranking points crucial for Olympic and major event qualification.
Winners in each weight category received 1,000 ranking points. Silver medalists earned 700 points, and bronze medalists 500 points.
Cash prizes were also awarded: €5,000 for gold, €3,000 for silver, and €1,500 for bronze.
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