After an exciting second day of competition, which was as qualitative as spectacular and just before the start of the final block, the opening ceremony of the first ever Tashkent Grand Slam took place, during which the IJF President Mr. Marius Vizer was pleased to welcome Mr. Ravshan IRMATOV, Deputy Minister of Physical Culture and Sport, Mr. Rustam SHAABDURAKHMONOV, President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and Mr. Azizjon KAMILOV, President of the Uzbekistan Judo Federation.
From left to righ: Mr. Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation - Mr. Rustam SHAABDURAKHMONOV, President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan - Mr. Ravshan IRMATOV, Deputy Minister of Physical Culture and Sport and Mr. Azizjon KAMILOV, President of the Uzbekistan Judo Federation

Mr. Ravshan IRMATOV, Deputy Minister of Physical Culture and Sport said, “We are very pleased to see you in Uzbekistan and welcome to our country! Nowadays, under the leadership of our respected President Mr. Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev,  special attention is paid to the development of sports and to the growth of physical culture among all segments of the population. It should be noted that the sport of judo is becoming more popular in Uzbekistan. Currently more than 20000 boys and girls participate regularly, enjoying judo in our country."

Mr. Ravshan IRMATOV Deputy Minister of Physical Culture and Sport

Our heroes, Armen Bagdasarov, Abdulla Tangriev, Rishod Sobirov and Diyorbek Urozbaev, successfully participated in the Olympic Games and were among the awardees. It is important to see that the female judoka from a number of countries are also participating in this competition. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all women with the upcoming International Women's Day on 8th March and wish them all the best. We are the witnesses of strong competition and exciting contests, here at the Tashkent Grand Slam. We are confident that the representatives of foreign countries who visited this prestigious competition will return from Tashkent with unforgettable memories. Taking this opportunity, I wish strong health and good luck to all participants!"

Mr. Rustam SHAABDURAKHMONOV President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan

Mr. Rustam SHAABDURAKHMONOV, President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, said, "Judo is one of the most popular sports among a young generation of Uzbekistan. This is due to the fact that our judoka regularly and successfully participate in the international arenas. At the Summer Olympics, the first medal of independent Uzbekistan was won in judo. This success of Armen Bagdasarov was continued by our later judoka, Abdullo Tangriev, Rishod Sobirov, Diyorbek Urozbaev. Today, we have also selected valuable candidates. Despite the current complicated epidemiological situation, our government  continuously supports our idea to hold such a high level competition. This is proof of the initiative of our President to promote a healthy lifestyle in our country. In turn, we express our deep gratitude to the International Judo Federation for the confidence and trust in holding such a prestigious tournament in Uzbekistan. I wish the best of success to all judoka who are fighting hard for the valuable ranking points towards the Tokyo Olympics!"

Mr. Azizjon KAMILOV President of the Uzbekistan Judo Federation

Mr. Azizjon KAMILOV, President of the Uzbekistan Judo Federation said, "The Tashkent Grand Slam tournament, which takes place for the first time in our city, is now making history for Uzbek judo and we are glad to see you all here. Humo Arena is hosting a Grand Slam for the first time not only in Uzbekistan, but also in Central Asia. This is a great honour for us! The government of Uzbekistan, under the leadership of the President Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, pays special attention to children's, mass and professional sports.

The Tashkent Grand Slam and agreed hosting of the World Senior Championships in Tashkent are truly the result of the government’s support and we constantly feel it. I would also like to thank the International Judo Federation, under the leadership of President Marius Vizer for successfully organising competitions on the road to the Tokyo Olympics, especially with the pandemic and volatility we are facing globally over the last year. We are glad to welcome here the world’s most highly-ranked judoka. As we have recently evidenced in Doha and Tel Aviv the athletes’ competition for medals and ranking points is getting stronger and stronger. Everyone wishes to qualify for the Olympics but the places are limited. On behalf of the Uzbekistan Judo Federation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officials of the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, who are actively assisting and supporting us with arrangements and organisation. I think that together we will hold an unforgettable grand slam tournament in Tashkent. I wish good luck to all athletes watch for interesting contests to the whole judo family.”

Mr. Marius Vizer President of the International Judo Federation declares the Grand Slam Tashkent open

Mr. Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, said, "Distinguished local and international guests, welcome to the Tashkent Grand Slam. On behalf of the international judo family I want to express my gratitude for having organised the first event with spectators. It is a unique and good sign for society and for the world. I also express my appreciation to the President of Uzbekistan and to the government, to the Sports and Educational institutions and the National Olympic Committee for the development of sports in the country. Uzbekistan is a great country with a big history and a bright future. Sport equals education and health and the future of a nation. Thank you all and I wish you a good competition and good luck. I declare the Grand Slam Tashkent open."

See also