Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 5 October congratulated members of the country’s sports delegation on their performance at the 20th Asian Summer Games in Japan’s Aichi and Nagoya.
Uzbekistan’s national team won 21 gold, 25 silver and 24 bronze medals, finishing fifth in the overall standings behind China, Japan, South Korea and India. About 11,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries took part in the Games. Uzbekistan was the top-performing country in Central Asia and among the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, according to the presidential message.
“You returned to your homeland with brilliant victories, raising our national flag high!” the President said in his congratulatory address.
The message highlighted athletes who won Uzbekistan’s first Asian Games gold medals in their respective disciplines. Abdulvahob Rashidov became the first Uzbek athlete to win Asian Games gold in men’s karate. Shohsanam Sherzodova won the women’s canoe singles event, while Utkirbek Dzhurayev took gold in artistic gymnastics. Track and field athlete Sukhrob Khodzhayev became Uzbekistan’s first Asian Games champion in the hammer throw. Barnokhon Saifullayeva won the high jump with a 1.90-metre clearance, setting a personal record.
Athlete Sharifa Davronova and boxer Abdumalik Khallakov became two-time Asian Games champions. Rhythmic gymnast Takhmina Ikromova became a three-time champion. Shahzoda Nurmatova and Sobir Safaraliyev, who recently won the world rowing championships, also secured victories at the Asian Games.
Weightlifter Akbar Dzhurayev lifted 197 kilograms to set world, Asian and Asian Games records. Shooter Vladimir Svechnikov won Uzbekistan’s first Asian Games gold in shooting and set a Games record.
Judoka Muzaffarbek Turaboyev, according to the congratulatory message, became the first Asian Games champion to win titles in two weight categories. In the quarterfinals, he defeated 2024 Paris Olympic medallist Kim Min-jong of South Korea, while in the final he beat Japan’s Ota Hyoga. Uzbek judokas won two gold, two silver and three bronze medals and finished second in the team standings behind Japan. Athletes from 32 countries competed in the event.
In kurash, Uzbek athletes won four of the six gold medals. The champions were Akhror Ziyodullayev, Shokhrukhkhon Bakhtiyorov, Ibodathon Agojonova and Pokizakhon Kamoliddinova.
According to the President, the results were based on reforms aimed at developing physical education and sport, as well as support for young talent. Mirziyoyev thanked the athletes, their parents, coaches and supporters.
“By winning at the Asian Games, you showed the world that the Olympic movement in New Uzbekistan has reached a new level and that a new golden generation of Olympians has emerged in the country,” he said.
The President expressed confidence that the results and experience gained at the Games would provide a strong foundation for Uzbekistan’s participation in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
