For three days, the crowds at the Kasri Tennis Arena continued to gather. Two hours before the start of the contests, spectators were already there, ready to support their judoka and all those who were committed to producing spectacular judo, and there were plenty of them! When we talk about popular success, we often refer to Paris and the famous Paris Grand Slam. We can say now that Dushanbe is a major judo city that attracts crowds and sports enthusiasts.
The results of the Tajik judoka are becoming so much more consistent. World and now Olympic medals are piling up for this Central Asian country and the performances achieved by local athletes at this year's grand slam only confirm this trend.
The work of the federation's technical teams and organisers, led by Mr Ismoil Mahmadzoir, is paying off at every level. The Dushanbe Grand Slam 2025 was a magical event in every way and will leave a lasting impression on all participants.
Lara Cvjetko (CRO), winner of the -70 kg category, said after her final, "It's one of my favourite destinations. I love the climate, I love the city, the people are very kind, they always recognise us. I think they really know judo and I love Tajikistan. It's a really nice destination." That says it all.
A few minutes before the final block of the last day of competition, several awarding ceremonies took place on the stage. An IJF 6th dan certificate was presented to Makhmadbekov Foteh (TJK) by the IJF Head Sport Director, Mr Vladimir Barta. Referee Zarif Nazriyev was recognised by IJF Head Referee Director Florin Daniel Lascau. Last but not least, certificates of appreciation were awarded by the president of the Tajikistan Judo Federation Mr Ismoil Mahmadzoir.
We will also remember that several nations performed particularly well in Dushanbe. At the top of the table is Tajikistan with four gold medalts, followed by Azerbaijan, France and Mongolia, all with two gold medals, and People's republic of China, Great Britain, Croatia and the United Arab Emirates with one gold each. Old and new generations competed in the spirit of judo and showcased the values of the sport beyond borders.
The Dushanbe Grand Slam is now over and the World Judo Tour is already on the move to its next destination, which will be in play next weekend with the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2025, where more than 400 judoka from nearly 50 countries are awaited in Astana. Stay connected and follow all the action on https://judotv.com/
