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Second gold for Uzbekistan: 11,000 shout Turoboev to World Championship title

On the sixth day of competition at the World Judo Championships in Tashkent, the hero from the beginning of the week was once again the centre of attention. The new world champion Davlat Bobonov gave coveted signatures and was happy to be photographed.

And Oybek Kasimov, the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, also congratulated him.

Probably inspired by his compatriot’s success, Muzaffarbek Turoboev set out to do something similar in the 100 kg weight category. The 22-year-old had a lot of wind at his back, as his victory in the final round over the world number two Michael Korrel from the Netherlands secured his place in the final. Not many expected that, as Turoboev’s best results so far have been third places at the 2021 Asian Games and three Grand Slams.

The second man on the mat in the fight for gold was Kyle Reyes from Canada. He also belonged to the extended world elite. In 2021 Reyes won the Pan American Games, nine years ago he was junior world champion, but others were considered promising gold contenders in Tashkent.

Loud support for Turoboev

In the final, almost 11,000 people in the hall were behind Turoboev. But his opponent initially held the better cards, Reyes exuded confidence, but the decision then came in extra time. Here Turoboev got the second wind and turned the tables. The Uzbek became world champion at the age of 22 – and his thousands of compatriots in the hall were delighted.

Azizyon Kamilov, the chairman of the Uzbek Judo Federation, was given the task of putting the gold plaque on his compatriot.

“In the final, the whole hall cheered me on and gave me a lot of strength. I felt good and gave my all to win,” said the new world champion.

In the women’s up to 78 kilograms, an old acquaintance of the judo world prevailed. The 31-year-old Mayra Aguiar from Brazil was already world champion in 2014 and 2017, and in Tashkent she added the third such title.

Zhenzhao Ma was her opponent in the final. The Chinese player had defeated Alina Böhm from Germany in the final round.

Aguiar was well prepared

Aguiar did not let the opportunity to become world champion for the third time slip away. Obaid Al Anzi, the chairman of the Asian Judo Federation, presented the Brazilian with the gold medal.

“The world championship title was something I really wanted and I prepared everything well. When I came here, I knew I gave everything to make it a well-rounded event,” Aguiar said.

The 18-year-old Ukrainian Yelisaveta Lytvynenko also attracted attention. She defeated Olympic champion Shori Hamada from Japan in the bronze medal match.

The World Championships in Tashkent are not over yet. Next up are the heavyweights.

By Julian