Tajikistan’s judo team delivered a landmark performance at the 2025 World Judo Championships in Budapest, Hungary, securing two medals in the 66 kg weight category — a historic first for the country at this level of competition. Nourali Emomali claimed the silver medal, while Obid Jebov brought home bronze.

Nourali Emomali reaches historic final

Emomali’s path to the final was nothing short of remarkable.  He opened the tournament with a confident victory over Spain’s Adrián Chinar and went on to defeat one of Europe’s top judokas, Vazha Margvelashvili of Georgia.

In the quarterfinals, Emomali demonstrated tactical superiority against Kazakhstan’s Gusman Kyrgyzbayev.  

A dramatic all-Tajik semifinal clash followed, where Emomali overcame his compatriot Jebov to reach the final — marking the first time a Tajik judoka has ever competed for gold in a World Championship final.

Although Emomali fell to Japan’s Takeshi Takeoka in the final match, his silver medal stands as the first World Championship silver in the history of Tajik judo — a milestone achievement that will be remembered for generations.

Obid Dzhebov claims bronze after defeating global star

Obid Jebov’s route to the podium was equally thrilling.  He began with a dominant win over Hungarian Balint Gombos, then stunned the judo world by defeating Japanese superstar Hifumi Abe with a clean ippon — one of the most sensational upsets of the tournament.

Despite a semifinal loss to Emomali, Jebov bounced back in the bronze medal match, defeating France’s Walide Khyar to secure Tajikistan’s second medal at the championships.

Tajik judo on the rise

This double triumph highlights a new chapter for Tajikistan on the international judo stage.  The performance not only showcased the depth of talent within the national team but also demonstrated their ability to compete with the world's elite.

Prior to this championship, Tajikistan had earned three bronze medals: one at the World Judo Championships and two others at the Summer Olympic Games in 2008 and 2024.  Rasoul Boqiyev, who competed in the ‍–‍73 kg (lightweight) category, won bronze medal at the 2007 World Judo Championships and a bronze medal, Tajikistan's first ever Olympic medal, at the 2008 Summer Olympics.  Another Tajik judoka Somon Mahmadbekov tied 3rd place with Lee Joon-hwan in the Men's 81 kg event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.  

Now, with two medals in a single tournament, the nation's judo program has firmly established itself as a rising force in the sport.