The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, will host nearly 400 judokas from more than 40 countries at the OTP Group Tashkent Grand Slam 2026, scheduled from February 27 to March 1 at the Humo Arena. The tournament represents the second stop of the World Judo Tour 2026, the premier international circuit organized by the International Judo Federation -IJF-, bringing together the world’s elite in a competition that strengthens the country’s role as a strategic host within the global calendar.
The event will take place at the Humo Arena, a modern venue with a capacity of 12,500 spectators, in a city that has reinforced its presence on the international circuit after hosting the World Judo Championships 2022 and five consecutive editions of the Grand Slam. This continuity has positioned Tashkent among the established host cities of the international calendar, alongside destinations such as Paris, Tokyo, and Baku, within a structure that gathers the leading figures of world judo each season.
Tashkent, a ‘capital’ of judo in Central Asia
The president of the International Judo Federation -IJF-, Marius Vizer, emphasized the city’s significance within the international circuit. “This capital city is a special meeting place in Central Asia, a thriving hub of activity across the arts, business and sport,” he said, adding that Uzbekistan “has stamped its own style on the World Judo Tour, making the Tashkent Grand Slam an unmissable event.”
The tournament follows the opening event held in Paris, reinforcing the global reach of the circuit and its presence across multiple continents. The staging of the Grand Slam forms part of a broader strategy by the IJF to expand the international footprint of judo, with competitions organized throughout the season in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Uzbekistan strengthens its global profile after gold at Paris 2024
The organization of the Grand Slam comes during a period of sustained growth for the sport in Uzbekistan, driven by international success and long-term development strategies. The country reached a historic milestone at the Olympic Games of Paris 2024, when Diyora Keldiyorova became the first Uzbek judoka to win an Olympic gold medal, reinforcing the nation’s position within the global judo community.
The First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, Otabek Umarov, highlighted the significance of hosting the competition. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s best judokas to compete in Uzbekistan. It is a great honor for Tashkent to continue to host major international judo events, and we thank the IJF for their continued trust. Hosting the Grand Slam not only inspires the next generation of athletes but stands as a testament to Uzbekistan’s dedication to the sport,” he said.
Open access and Olympic champions headline the competition
The competition will take place over three days and will feature 14 weight categories, ranging from the lightest divisions to the heavyweight classes. Admission to the Humo Arena will be free for spectators, reflecting an initiative aimed at expanding access to judo across the region and strengthening its impact among the country’s young population, which represents nearly 60 percent of its 38 million inhabitants.
The president of the Uzbekistan Judo Federation, Azizjon Kamilov, underlined the event’s importance for national sporting development. “Uzbekistan continues to strengthen its position within the international judo community through consistent development and long-term investment,” he said, stressing that hosting the tournament represents “both an honour and a responsibility.”
Among the participants are Olympic champions, world champions, and top-ranked athletes competing across all categories. Double Olympic champion Hifumi Abe, of Japan, returns to the international circuit as one of the leading figures in the under 66 kg division, while Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri, of Georgia, will compete in the under 90 kg category as one of the tournament’s standout competitors. Olympic medallist Alisher Yusupov, representing Uzbekistan, will also compete in front of the home crowd in the heavyweight division, in an event bringing together athletes from Europe, Asia, and the Americas in one of the most important competitions of the international calendar.
