Seven champions were crowned at Tajikistan’s President’s Judo Cup in Kulob on October 17–18, with a total prize fund of 1.26 million somoni awarded to medalists across seven men’s weight categories.
The tournament brought together established members of the national team and judokas seeking to strengthen their positions in the national rankings.
In the 60 kg category, Mehrzod Sufiyev won gold, repeating his success at the tournament in 2023. Nourullo Ahmadov took silver, while Jasour Lutfishoyev and Mustafo Nourov shared bronze. Nourov also won bronze in the same category in 2023.
Iskandar Mahmadkhojazoda claimed gold in the 66 kg category, defeating Sarvar Abdushukurov in the final. Abdushukurov recently won bronze in kurash at the 2026 Asian Games in the 66 kg category. Ehson Safarzoda and Mustafoi Abdulfayz took bronze.
National team standout Emomali Nourali did not compete in Kulob as he prepares for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, scheduled for October 29–31. Mahmadkhojazoda is also entered for the upcoming tournament.
Masoud Ahmadzod won the 73 kg category, with Benyomin Nazirov taking silver and Bobojon Sharopov and Umar Sherov earning bronze. The category includes Muhiddin Asadulloyev, a bronze medalist at the 2026 Asian Games who currently ranks second in the International Judo Federation’s world rankings.
Four champions crowned on the second day
Abubakr Boqiyev won the 81 kg category, having previously claimed the President’s Cup in the 73 kg division in 2023. Bakhtiyor Bozorov took silver, while Muhammadrahim Sarakhonov and Sunatulo Musoyev won bronze.
In the 90 kg category, Muzammir Karimzoda claimed gold, followed by Rasoul Umarov with silver. Hamroz Rajabov and Muhammadiqbol Toshev shared bronze.
Somoni Kishvarov won the 100 kg category, finishing ahead of silver medalist Sunatulo Mirzoumarzoda. Isroil Rahimov and Firdavs Nasimov took bronze. Asian Games silver medalist Jahongir Majidov, also entered for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, was among the leading Tajik judokas in this weight class.
Parviz Abdurahmonov won the over-100 kg category. Sharifjon Nazriyev took silver, while Mansour Rahmon and Nekruzshoh Nekbakhtzoda shared bronze. Both bronze medalists are entered for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. Rahmon also represented Tajikistan in the heavyweight division at the recent Asian Games in Japan.
Prize money and upcoming international competition
Across the seven categories, 28 medals were awarded: seven gold, seven silver and 14 bronze.
Each champion received 70,000 somoni, silver medalists received 50,000 somoni each, and bronze medalists received 30,000 somoni each, bringing the total prize payout to 1.26 million somoni.
The tournament followed shortly after the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where Tajikistan’s judo team won four medals: silver for Jahongir Majidov and bronze for Muhiddin Asadulloyev, Abubakr Sherov and Ahliya Muminova.
The next major challenge for the country’s judokas is the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in the United Arab Emirates on October 29–31. Tajikistan has entered 16 athletes, including several competitors who took part in the President’s Cup in Kulob.