Japan held the throne at the top of the medal table at the end of the first day and second, behind them, were Bliev (IJF) and Abdulaev (IJF) but Uzbekistan, firmly placed next on the list, were a home team that put in an excellent performance on day 1. The Uzbek team won 5 medals from the two lightest men’s categories, just one medal short of Japan’s tally. However, Japan had mostly won golds while Uzbekistan’s haul was almost exclusively bronze. On day two, could Uzbekistan close the gap with some gold medals or would Japan continue to control the territory at the top of the podium? The answer was on its way: Japan continued to dominate the women's categories on day two and remained at the top of the table. The rest would have to try again on day 3.
One statistic that has brought smiles to the faces of IJF and Uzbek organisers is the split among men and women competing in Tashkent. 126 women are present and 116 men. This is a first for the World Judo Tour and shows how far judo has come in ensuring access for women across the world. It couldn’t have happened at a better time, with International Women’s Day just around the corner, being celebrated on 8th March just as it is every year.
Uzbekistan is fast becoming a significant player in the field of equality. Diyora Keldiyorova’s Olympic gold medal in Paris was a first in many ways. She is the first woman to win an Olympic medal for the country but is also now the holder of Uzbekistan’s first gold from any sport, for men or women. The governement and sporting bodies in Uzbekistan have supported her wholly, as has her husband, himself a judoka. This has sent a message ripppling across Central Asia, one that is so positive that within months of Diyora’s incredible achievement, there is visible change in the region.
Judo continues to affect change within sport and beyond. This is an objective that will always be at the forefront of the IJF’s work, in all countries around the world. Being a vehicle for values-led change is something that brings great pride to the judo community and as Jigoro Kano, judo’s founder, said, “Where there is effort, there is always accomplishment.”