The Grand Slam tournament, which will be held in Dushanbe on May 1-3, has already attracted a strong international application: the International Judo Federation (IJF) lists 34 teams, and each team has published a list of judokas by weight category.
Tajikistan: the broadest application and bet on leaders
The hosts of the tournament are fielding one of the largest lineups – 41 judokas. In the men’s section, Emomali Nurali and Obid Dzhebov in the 66 kg category, Mukhiddin Asadulloev in the 73 kg category and Somon Makhmadbekov in the 81 kg category stand out. These are the athletes around whom the main interest of the local public will be built.
The application also includes Mehrzod Sufiev, Ramziddin Azizov, Loik Kutbiddinov, Ikrom Shamsov, Abdulloi Orif, Jahongir Majidov, Mansur Rahmon, Nekruzshoh Nekbakhtzoda and others.
In the women’s team, attention will be focused on Madina Kurbonzoda, Akhlia Muminova, Alexandra Kan and Victoria Kiseleva.
France: Olympic school and big names
France is bringing to Dushanbe a compact but very high-status lineup.
The entries include Walid Khyar, Joan-Benjamin Gaba, Alpha Oumar Djalo, Maxime-Gael Ngayap Ambu, and in the women’s section – Amandine Bouchard, Sarah-Leonie Sisik, Marie-Eve Gaye, Audrey Choumeo and Roman Dickot.
Even without the maximum squad, France looks like one of the most interesting teams in the tournament: they have both experience and athletes who are used to fighting for medals at big competitions.
Uzbekistan: full roster and competition in almost all weights
Uzbekistan enters 28 athletes and actually covers all the main categories.
Among the men, Bakhrom Boturov and Muhammadjon Masharipov stand out in the 60 kg category, Azizbek Ortikov and Bobur Vadzhiev in the 66 kg category, Murodjon Yuldoshev in the 81 kg category, Umar Bozorov and Azizbek Avazmuradov in the 90 kg category, as well as Utkirbek Turoboev in the super heavyweight category.
The women’s section includes Ulbusin Khakimova, Sogdiana Rafkatova, Mukhayo Akhmatova, Farangiz Khodzhieva, Barchina Kodirova and others.
For Tajikistan, this will be one of the main regional competitors.
Russia: a big team and danger in every scale
The Russian application is one of the deepest: 23 athletes. The men’s team includes Ayub Bliev, Yago Abuladze, Danil Lavrentyev, Karen Galstyan, Taulan Baysiev, Eldar Allahverdiev, Mansur Lorsanov, Adam Sangariev and Artyom Zolotukhin.
In the women’s section – Kristina Dudina, Karina Efimova, Olga Mukhina, Natalya Elkina, Kamilla Badurova, Alexandra Ryabchenko and Maria Ivanova.
Mongolia: a strong school and traditionally awkward opponents
Mongolia are always dangerous at IJF tournaments, and in Dushanbe their lineup looks tight again. The application includes Ariunbold Enkhtaivan, Tumenjargal Tuvshintur, Erhembayar Battogtokh, Zhantsandorj Unurbat, Shinebayar Oyunchimeg, Batsugar Gansukh, Khiderchuluun Bayartsengel and Parenleyzhamts Usukhbayar.
In the female part, Nandin-Erdene Myagmarsuren, Enkhriylen Lkhagvatogoo, Khuslen Otgonbayar, Adiyasuren Amarsaikhan and Nominzul Dambadarzhaa stand out.
Azerbaijan and Moldova: less composition, but a lot of quality
Azerbaijan claims six men, including Murad Muradli, Nizami Imranov, Islam Rakhimov, Rashid Mammadaliev, Ushangi Kokauri and Jamal Gamzathanov. The lineup is small, but the names are quite serious, especially in the light and heavy categories.
Moldova is bringing eight men, and the highlights here are Denis Vieru, Adil Osmanov, Victor Sterpu, Petru Pelivan and Mikhail Latyshev – a team capable of intervening in the fight for medals in several weights.
China, Korea and Iran: Asian competition
China is bringing 14 athletes: Sun Jiahuo, Lin Gaohui, Bu Hebilige, Huang Fuchun and Li Haiyang are among the men, and Hui Xinran, Zhuang Wenna, Zhang Yuanli, Tao Yuying, Wang Nan, Zhang Wen, Wu Hongtao, Niu Xinran and Aiman Jingexin’er are among the women.
Korea has a smaller lineup, but also an interesting one: Jung Seungbum, Park Joon Hyun, Kim Jaemin, Kim Sehon, Kim Jiyong, Kim Yeji and Yang Jiyon.
Iran claims four men’s weights: Abolfazl Mahmoudi, Elyas Parhizgar, Amir Abbas Choupan and Mohammadpuria Banaeyan Tolki.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: neighbors with different tasks
Kazakhstan is traveling with a male squad of 12 people. The application names Toktar Umutaliev, Nuradil Alzhan, Erdaulet Bozsha, Nursultan Zayzagaliev, Dastan Shayakhmetov, Madi Zhetkergen, Askar Narkulov, Azat Kumisbai, Daniil Krylov, Nurzhan Bisenov, Muhammedali Mavlidov and Beibit Madeev.
Kyrgyzstan is represented by eight judokas: Ravshanbek Asanov, Shakhrudin Abdykadyrov, Yryskeldi Dzhumabekov, Arseniy Kladnov, Arsen Anarbekov, Luiza Asakeeva, Zhanar Zholdosheva and Adina Kochkonbaeva.
Europe: from Austria to Serbia
Austria is bringing Stefan Hegyi, Thomas Scharfetter, Bernd Fasching, Samuel Gassner, Ljubjana Piovesana and Michaela Polleres. Italy is betting on Tiziano Falcone, Odette Giuffrida, Kenya Perna, Julia Carna and Asya Tavano.
The Netherlands entered Michael Correll, Joshua de Lange, Ian van Herk, Marcus van Dijk, Emil Jahring, Amber Gersjes, Marit Kamps, Yael van Heemst and Carmen Dijkstra.
Serbia is represented by Nemanja Majdov, Milyan Radul and Lazar Zdrale – this is a small but very noticeable men’s entry.
Teams with point orders
There are countries that will bring one or two athletes to Dushanbe, but they cannot be written off either. Bahrain enters Sukhrob Bokiev in the 66kg category, Chile – Mary Dee Vargas Lay in the 48kg category, the Czech Republic – Adam Kopecky in the 90kg category, Great Britain – Max Gregory and Rachel Hawks.
Finland brings Valteri Olin, Oskari Mäkinen, Pihla Matikäinen, Louna-Lumia Seikkula and Emma Krapa, and Poland brings Ksawery Ignasiak, Grzegorz Teresinski, Jakub Sordil and a strong women’s block with Victoria Slazok, Kinga Klimczak, Alexandra Kaleta and others.
In general, the main feature of the Grand Slam in Dushanbe is the density of competition. The hosts will have a strong and wide application, but nearby are France, Uzbekistan, Russia, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, China, Kazakhstan and other teams with athletes who can immediately enter the medal fight.
For Tajik judokas this is a home chance, but this tournament will definitely not be easy: in almost every weight there are several dangerous opponents, and that is why the May start in Dushanbe promises to be one of the most interesting events of the season.
