Tajikistan Wins Two Golds at Home Judo Grand Slam
Two Tajik judokas claimed gold medals in front of a roaring home crowd at the Dushanbe Grand Slam, delivering moments of national pride. The arena packed to capacity as fans witnessed their athletes shine on the world stage.
The sound of thousands of fans screaming filled the arena in Dushanbe as Muhiddin Asadulloev countered his opponent early for an ippon, securing Tajikistan's second gold medal of the day.
Day 2 of the Dushanbe Grand Slam 2026 became a celebration of home talent as both Asadulloev and Somon Makhmadbekov topped the podium. The crowd's energy was electric from the opening cultural performance of traditional song and dance through the final matches of the evening.
Asadulloev, the top seed in the 73kg division, faced Karen Galstian in the final and delivered exactly what the fans hoped for. His quick counter technique earned an ippon and sent the arena into wild celebration.
"The screaming fans give us their energy, and their support makes all of us stronger," Asadulloev said after his win.
The home crowd had even more to celebrate when Olympic bronze medalist Somon Makhmadbekov faced Austria's Bernd Fasching in the 81kg final. An early score from Makhmadbekov held through the match, earning him gold and closing out an unforgettable day for Tajikistan.
The Ripple Effect
The tournament brought more than medals to Dushanbe. International judo officials and athletes from Mongolia, Poland, and Austria competed in front of enthusiastic Tajik fans, creating a showcase for the country's growing judo program.
Young Polish athlete Aleksandra Kowalewska experienced the arena's intensity firsthand when she won her first Grand Slam gold in the 70kg division. "I saw the opening ceremony, and that was big, and the crowd were loud, so I heard everyone," she said.
Mongolia's Gankhaich Bold also claimed gold in the 63kg division after a golden score victory in an all-Mongolian final. The packed arena witnessed world-class judo across four weight categories, with government officials including Tajikistan's Labour Minister and Dushanbe's First Deputy Mayor presenting medals.
The event marks Tajikistan's emergence as both a competitive judo nation and capable host of major international sporting events.
Based on reporting by Euronews
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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