Mirziyoyev Congratulates Uzbekistan’s Para-Athletes on Third Place

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 25 October congratulated the country’s athletes, coaches and parents on the national team’s performance at the fifth Asian Para Games in Japan. The team won 45 gold, 49 silver and 51 bronze medals, finishing third in the overall standings behind China and Japan, the presidential press service reported.

The message noted that more than 2,600 para-athletes from 45 Asian countries competed at the Games. Uzbekistan finished ahead of teams from India, South Korea, Iran, Thailand and Indonesia. Women athletes won half of the gold medals claimed by the Uzbek delegation.

Powerlifter Ruza Kuziyeva set a world record while winning gold. Asian records were set by Madina Mukhtorova and Karomat Omonova in the shot put, Shahina Yigitalieva in the javelin throw and Navruza Ahmadova in the discus throw. Khurshid Kodirov also set an Asian record in the 100 metres. In swimming, Yegor Bolotov established continental records in the 100-metre backstroke and 200-metre individual medley. The Asian record in the 50-metre freestyle belongs to 16-year-old Lolakhon Kodirova. Another 16 athletes improved Asian Para Games records in para-cycling, powerlifting and para-athletics.

Dmitry Khorlin reached the Asian Para Games podium for the fourth time. Bobirjon Omonov, Khusniddin Norbekov, Kudratillokhon Ma’rufkhujaev and Fakhriddin Khamroev won medals for the third time. Asila Mirzaeva, Shahina Yigitalieva, Guljonoy Naimova and Ruza Kuziyeva confirmed their titles for the second time.

Madina Mukhtorova, Navruza Ahmadova and Mub inabonu Khalilova became two-time champions at the Games, while Khurshid Kodirov won three gold medals. Yegor Bolotov, competing at the Asian Para Games for the first time, won four gold and one silver medal in para-swimming.

Delegation flag-bearer Marjona Pardaboeva, who secured Uzbekistan’s first-ever world championship gold in para-cycling, became a two-time Asian champion. Fifteen-year-old Boburbek Toshtemirov won Uzbekistan’s first gold medal in track para-cycling at the Asian Para Games and became the youngest Uzbek champion in the country’s history at the event.

“With your outstanding victories in the arenas of Aichi-Nagoya, you have shown the world that the Paralympic movement in New Uzbekistan has reached a new level,” the message said.

The president expressed confidence that the results and experience gained in Japan would provide a foundation for preparations for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.