During his opening speech, Mr Aripov said, "Distinguished guests, dear Mr Marius Vizer, dear athletes, ladies and gentlemen. We are very glad to welcome you in this beautiful and incomparable city of Tashkent in Uzbekistan. These days, almost 600 athletes are competing in this magnificent Humo venue. Under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, our country pays a lot of attention to the development of sport.
A lot of work has been conducted to promote sport among the youth. More and more schools are practising judo and we have opened a judo academy. As a result, Uzbek judoka succeed in international events. In 2021, we organised the first Grand Slam of Tashkent. This is a clear sign of peace and friendship. Under the initiative of President Vizer, we held the first Judo Economic Forum, which connects economy and sport and which was a great success. I want to congratulate all of you and wish you great success. I declare the Judo World Championships Tashkent 2022, open!"
During the colourful opening ceremony, where local performers demonstrated the richness of Uzbek culture, Mr Vizer also declared, "Your Excellency, Mr Prime Minister, distinguished represensentatives of the government and of the city of Tashkent, dear guest, partners, media representatives, dear members of the judo family, it is a great honour to be here for the first world judo championship organised ever in the country. Uzbekistan has been developing a lot, to offer reforms, including digitalisation, culture, sport and health.
We also organised the first Judo Economic Forum. I want to thank the President of the country, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Sport, the city of Tashkent, the National Olympic Committee, the federation and all the volunteers. Through this event we promote the values and the traditions of Uzbekistan. We also deliver a great message, that of Uzbekistan being a great country, with a lot of youth that bring peace, unity and friendship."
Just before the start of the ceremony, the Prime Minister met the Minister of Sports Development, MD Adkhan Ikramov, the President of the Judo Federation of Uzbekistan, Mr Azizjon Kamilov and the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee, Mr Oybek Kasimov, as well as the IJF Executive Committee members.
As the central cubic screen announced "Welcome to Uzbekistan," an anonymous character appeared on the screen on a motorcycle slaloming between cars to reach the venue on time. He had a precious parcel, the IJF flag, that needed to be delivered on time and he made it! Rishod Sobirov, double world champion and Olympic medallist, entered the stadium with the flag under the hurrahs of the public.
It was time for the parade of the participating delegations. 82 participants dressed with the Uzbek national outfit entered the venue, carrying the national flags, as the IJF flag was displayed on the tatami. After the official speeches, the national anthem of Uzbekistan and the IJF anthem were played and the cultural programme was presented.
It was time for one of the most anticipated final blocks of the competition, with the women's -63kg and men's -81kg categories. None of the categories in action today disappointed the public. The Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, all the guests and the public could enjoy one of the most incredible finals in recent years, while the other one offered the magnificent smile of the winner.