The medal table speaks for itself, topped by Japan with three gold medals, as we head into day two. The spirit of the event though was truly on show in the opening ceremony which took place at 4pm local time, an hour before the final block. It began with a video about Uzbekistan’s newly crowned first Olympic champion Diyora Keldiyorova, growing from a little girl with dreams, a work ethic and an unshakable belief in herself, all the way to the Olympic podium. The video said, “The power of judo can help us overcome anything. Judo is not just about medals but unity, resilience and the unbreakable spirit that connects us all.” It was a perfect way to inspire those gathered at the Yunusobod Sport Complex.
A dance, gymnastics and judo show then took over the tatami under the spotlights, tumbling young judoka and glittering dancers commanding the gaze of the spectators. Then it was time to make way for the official welcome speeches, introduced by the MC weho said, “Good evening ladies and genbtlemen, we welcome you today to the Yunusobod Sport Complex which has become the judo venue for the OTP Group Tashkent Grand Slam 2025.
First, we would like to express our gratitide to the IJF, the Sports Ministry, the National Olympic Committee and the government of Uzbekistan for supporting such a large scale event. Judoka from all over the world will compete for the chance to win their categories, including winners of medals from many big championships such as the Olympic Games and world championships, all fighting on the tatami of the this grand slam.
We now welcome to the stage the officials of the OTP Group Tashkent Grand Slam 2025, IJF President Mr Marius Vizer, Minister of Sports for the Republic of Uzbekistan Dr Adham Ikramov, Vice President of the Uzbekistan Olympic Committee Mr Otabek Umarov and Uzbekistan Judo Federation President Mr Azizjon Kamilov.”
Dr Adham Ikramov then gave the first offical welcome speech, “Good evening athletes, coaches, guests and representatives of the IJF, welcome to the opening ceremony of the OTP Group Tashkent Grand Slam 2025. Today more than 240 of the strongest athletes have gathered here and in the spirit of gender quality we have more female athletes than male competing at this event.
I would like to thank IJF President Marius Vizer for being here, giving us his trust and for attending the opening of our new dojo in a primary school here in Tashklent. But the most imopirtant event was the meeting with our country’s president, His Excellency Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev. On behalf of all of you, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr Mirziyoyev for presenting Mr Marius Vizer with the highest order of merit. I wish all judoka great fights, fair competition and a warm welcome to Uzbekistan.”
IJF President Mr Marius Vizer then stepped up to the microphone, “Dear distinguished Minister of Sports Dr Ikramov, NOC Vice President Mr Umarov and dear federation President Mr Kamilov, dear spectators, sponsors, media representatives and the judo family, welcome to Tashkent! I want to congratulate Uzbekistan for their best ever result at an Olympic Games, in Paris. I thank the president of the Republic, His Excellency Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the National Olympic Committee and the federation for the continuous development of judo in Uzbekistan, in the Central Asian region and in the world. I wish you a successful grand slam in Tashkent, spectacular judo and for all judoka to have the good fortune to win. I now officially open the OTP Group Tashkent Grand slam in Uzbekistan.”
The national anthem of Uzbekistan played with the arena’s many voices joining in, before the IJF anthem played to conclude the opening ceremony.
Day two begins on Saturday 1st March at midday local time. Get ready for the middleweights and chekcout the draw on JudoTV.com.