In a historic moment for Tajik sports, 19-year-old Muhiddin Asadulloev has won the gold medal in the men’s -73 kg category at the World Judo Junior Championships, overcoming Japan’s Ryusei Arakawa in a high-intensity final.
The prestigious tournament, held from October 5 to 7 in Lima, Peru, brought together 483 judokas from 68 nations, showcasing the finest talents in junior judo, The Caspian Post informs via Tajik media.
Among them, Asadulloev's performance stood out not only for its technical brilliance but also for the national pride it brought to Tajikistan.
A Historic Victory for Tajikistan
Asadulloev’s gold is a milestone for Tajik judo, making him just the second athlete in the country’s history to win a junior world title-the first being Somon Mahmadbekov. It also builds on his impressive form, following a bronze medal win at the 2024 Junior World Championships in Dushanbe.
A Path Paved with Upsets
The International Judo Federation (IJF) highlighted the -73 kg category as one of the most competitive of the tournament. Asadulloev's semifinal win over world number one Keito Kihara of Japan shocked spectators and analysts alike, setting up a tense final showdown with Arakawa.
The gold medal match delivered on all expectations. Both competitors came out aggressively, engaging in rapid exchanges and fierce grip battles. Midway through the contest, Arakawa seemed to take control, dictating the pace through superior kumi-kata. However, Asadulloev stayed composed, relying on timing and counter-attacks.
With under a minute remaining, the Tajik judoka launched a perfectly executed counter, scoring a yuko that ultimately secured him the championship. “It was clear from the first grip that neither athlete was holding back,” the IJF commented, calling it a “thrilling conclusion to one of the day’s most exciting categories.”
Tajikistan’s Team in Lima
Tajikistan was represented by four male judokas:
Ikrom Shamsov (-60 kg)
Yosin Bobokalonov (-66 kg)
Ehson Safarzoda (-66 kg)
Muhiddin Asadulloev (-73 kg)
While Asadulloev claimed gold, the other team members delivered solid performances despite early exits:
Shamsov won his opening match against Botswana but fell to France’s Zacharie Dijol.
Bobokalonov advanced past a Moldovan opponent before losing to Uzbekistan’s Dilshodbek Khamroev.
Safarzoda exited in the first round, defeated by Kazakhstan’s Abdirakhmon Kaiyrkhan.
A Rising Star for Central Asia
Asadulloev’s victory shines a spotlight on Tajikistan’s growing stature in the global judo scene. His success, following Mahmadbekov’s earlier triumph, signals a promising future for the country’s young athletes on the international stage.
With a world title now secured, Muhiddin Asadulloev has firmly positioned himself as one of Central Asia’s most promising judo talents, and a name to watch as he continues his journey into the senior ranks.
