However, during the preliminary session of the third day, the Tajik athletes struggled to find their rhythm and fell one by one. Having no representation in the final block meant disappointment for the organisers, especially after such a high-flying second day, but their place at the top of the medal table was not yet disturbed. The potential was there though as the Russian Federation, lying in third place, was not far behind and placed an athlete in each of the men’s finals on this final day of competition.
One of the biggest upsets of the day came at the hands of Max Gregory (GBR) who threw the -100 kg number one seed Dzhakhongir Madzhidov in their opening contest. Gregory went on to place 7th but the Tajik hope was out.
Gregory silences the crowd by taking out the home favourite! 🇬🇧
— Judo (@Judo) May 3, 2026
Follow all the action on https://t.co/5YYXyE0nko 💻#JudoDushanbe #Tajikistan #IJF #Judo #RoadToLA2028 pic.twitter.com/msa4YKzXaz
All other top seeds, Asya Tavano ITA) at +78 kg, Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (UAE) at -78 kg, Theodoros Tselidis (GRE) at -90 kg and Ushangi Kokauri (AZE), reached the final block, one way or another. All but Kokauri made it to their respective finals, confirmation of the validity and importance of the IJF World Ranking List, a hierarchy that becomes even more important in the coming weeks as the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualification period opens.
Notable moments on this final day of competition in Tajikistan’s capital included the sheer excellence of Lytvynenko’s win in her semi-final. She threw Alexandra Riabchenko (RUS) for yuko, waza-ari and ippon, making it look as if judo is easy!
OTP Group Ippon of the day, brought to you by Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko! ☄️
— Judo (@Judo) May 3, 2026
Follow all the action on https://t.co/5YYXyE0nko 💻#JudoDushanbe #Tajikistan #IJF #Judo #RoadToLA2028 pic.twitter.com/u4jotk1iql
Olympic medallist Tselidis also put some great judo on display. His combination of o-uchi-gari and ko-uchi-gake sent Eldar Allakhverdiev (RUS) directly to the locker room from their quarter-final. He then continued his run all the way to the final, without looking over his shoulder.
Jinesinuer Ayiman (CHN) had an excellent morning. She is just 22 years old and already Asian champion, having won the gold in Bangkok in 2025. Unfortunately she suffered an injury at her home tournament in Qingdao last September, disrupting her promising trajectory. At the 2026 Dushanbe Grand Slam she is back on course and gave a fantastic account of herself in the morning session to reach the final of the +78 kg category.
The final block will be live and online from 5pm local time and there is much to look forward to. Follow all the action and the final medal presentations via JudoTV.com