Autumn’s golden triumphs: Uzbekistan shines at the 20th Asian Games

The 20th Summer Asian Games were held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

Held under the auspices of the Olympic Council of Asia, the Games brought together more than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries across the continent. The 16-day competition featured 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with athletes competing in 469 events and vying for 1,407 medals.

At the continent’s most prestigious multi-sport event of the four-year cycle, the Uzbekistan delegation competed in 42 sports, including 36 Olympic and six non-Olympic disciplines. A total of 396 athletes – 224 men and 172 women – represented the country.

At the 20th Asian Games, Uzbekistan won 70 medals – 21 gold, 25 silver, and 24 bronze – finishing fifth in the overall team standings.

At this year’s Asian Games, Uzbekistan’s Akbar Jurayev won the gold medal in the men’s 110 kg weightlifting category. In the snatch, he first lifted 190 kg to set a new Asian Games record, then improved to 197 kg on his third attempt, setting a new world record.

Akbar Jurayev lifted 226 kg in the clean and jerk and finished with a total of 423 kg, becoming the Asian Games champion.

Uzbek rhythmic gymnast Takhmina Ikromova also delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 112.950 points in the individual all-around and becoming a three-time Asian Games champion.

In boxing, Abdumalik Khalokov (-60 kg) and Turabek Khabibullayev (-90 kg) won gold, while Jakhongir Zokirov (+90 kg) earned silver. Shavkatjon Boltayev (-70 kg), Fazliddin Erkinboyev (-80 kg), Feruza Kazakova (-51 kg), and Sitora Turdibekova (-60 kg) earned bronze.

Uzbekistan’s boxing team concluded the competition with seven medals – two gold, one silver, and four bronze. The men’s team made a major contribution to the overall result, winning two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. The women’s team won two bronze medals.

In artistic gymnastics, Utkirbek Jurayev won gold on the vault, while Rasuljon Abdurakhimov claimed bronze on the parallel bars. In cycling, Sergey Rostovtsev and Nikita Tsvetkov earned bronze in the Madison, and Abubakir Iminjonov and Farrukh Mirkhamitov won bronze in eFootball™ esports.

In athletics, Sukhrob Khujayev won gold in the hammer throw, Barnokhon Sayfullayeva in the high jump, and Sharifa Davronova in the triple jump. Anvar Anvarov claimed bronze in the long jump.

In canoe sprint, Shakhriyor Mahkamov won gold in the men’s kayak 500 m, and Shokhsanam Sherzodova claimed gold in the women’s canoe 200 m. Silver medals went to Vladlen Denisov in the men’s canoe 500 m, Artur Guliyev and Vladlen Denisov in the men’s canoe double 500 m, Shokhsanam Sherzodova and Nilufar Zokirova in the women’s canoe double 500 m, Arina Tanatmisheva in the women’s kayak 500 m, the Uzbekistan team in the kayak four 500 m, and Vladlen Denisov and Nilufar Zokirova in the mixed canoe double 500 m. Arina Tanatmisheva and Ekaterina Shubina earned bronze in the women’s kayak double 500 m.

In fencing, Zaynab Dayibekova won silver in the individual sabre event, Polina Volobuyeva won bronze in the individual foil, and the Uzbekistan team won bronze in the team sabre competition. In judo, Muzaffarbek Turaboyev (+100 kg) and Sita Kadamboyeva (-52 kg) won gold medals. Abdurakhim Nutfulloyev (-66 kg) and Shakhram Akhadov (-73 kg) earned silver, while Ernazar Sarsenbayev (-100 kg), Samariddin Kuchkorov (-60 kg) and the Uzbekistan mixed team won bronze.

In kurash, Uzbekistan’s traditional national sport, Akhror Ziyodullayev (-81 kg), Shokhrukhon Bakhtiyorov (+90 kg), Ibodatkhon Ogojonova (-57 kg), and Pokizakhon Kamoliddinova (-78 kg) won gold medals. Bekmurod Oltiboyev (+90 kg) and Shokhista Nazarova (-78 kg) won bronze.

Uzbekistan also achieved strong results in wrestling. Aytjan Khalmakhanov won gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at 67 kg. Sherzod Poyonov earned silver in freestyle wrestling at 97 kg, while Rafael Tsitsuashvili and Alisher Ganiyev took silver in Greco-Roman wrestling at 130 kg and 60 kg, respectively. Jalgasbay Berdimuratov won bronze in the 87 kg Greco-Roman category.

In shooting, Vladimir Svechnikov won gold in the 10 m air pistol event. In MMA, Firdavs Atamurodov (modern, -60 kg) and Khiyola Sobirova (traditional, -60 kg) each claimed silver, while Nodirbek Shavkatov (modern, -71 kg) won bronze. In karate, Abdulvahhob Rashidov (-67 kg) won gold, and Humoyunmirzo Halimov (-55 kg) won silver.

In rowing, Shahzod Nurmatov and Sobirjon Safaraliyev won gold in the lightweight event. Uzbekistan won silver medals in the men’s four, the men’s single sculls (Shahboz Kholmurzayev), the men’s double sculls (Mehrojbek Mamatkulov and Pavel Sorin), the women’s pair (Anna Aksenova and Aidana Smetullayeva), the women’s four, and the women’s single sculls (Anna Prakaten). Maksim Golubev and Alisher Turdiyev won bronze in the men’s pair, and the Uzbekistan men’s four also won bronze.

In WT taekwondo, Jasurbek Jaysunov (-80 kg) won gold, while Marat Mavlonov (+80 kg) and Ozoda Sobirjonova (-67 kg) won silver, and Svetlana Saidova (+67 kg) won bronze. In tennis, Humoyun Sultonov won bronze in men’s singles. In wushu, Darya Latysheva won silver in nanquan and nandao, while Saydullo Abdurashitov (56 kg) and Doniyor Turgunboyev (75 kg) won bronze.

Javohir Toshkhujayev, photos by Sarvar Urmonov, UzA