The Grand Slam tournament taking place in Dushanbe from May 1-3 has already attracted a strong international lineup: the International Judo Federation (IJF) lists 34 teams, and each team has published a roster of judokas by weight category.

Tajikistan: the widest lineup and focus on leaders

The hosts of the tournament are fielding one of the largest rosters – 41 judokas. In the men’s team, Emomali Nourali and Obid Jebov stand out in the 66 kg category, Muhiddin Asadulloyev in the 73 kg category, and Somon Mahmadbekov in the 81 kg category. These are the athletes around whom the local audience’s main interest will be centered.

The roster also includes Mehrzod Sufiyev, Ramziddin Azizov, Loiq Qutbiddinov, Ikrom Shamsov, Abdulloh Orif, Jahongir Majidov, Mansour Rahmon, Nekrouzshoh Nekbakhtzoda, and others.

In the women’s team, attention will be focused on Madina Kurbonzoda, Akhliya Mu’minova, Alexandra Kan, and Viktoria Kiseleva.

France: Olympic school and prominent names

France is bringing a compact but very prestigious team to Dushanbe.

The roster includes Walid Khyar, Joan-Benjamin Gaba, Alpha Umar Djalo, Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou, and in the women’s team – Amandine Buchard, Sarah-Leonie Cysique, Marie-Eve Gahie, Audrey Tcheumeo, and Romane Dicko.

Even without the maximum lineup, France looks like one of the most interesting teams in the tournament: there is both experience and athletes accustomed to competing for medals at major events.

Uzbekistan: full lineup and competition in almost all weight catregories

Uzbekistan is registering 28 athletes and effectively covering all major weight categories.

Among the men, Bahrom Boturov and Mukhammadjon Masharipov stand out in the 60 kg category, Azizbek Ortikov and Bobur Vadzhiyev in the 66 kg category, Murodjon Yuldoshev in the 81 kg category, Umar Bozorov and Azizbek Avazmurodov in the 90 kg category, and Utkirbek Turoboev in the super heavyweight category.

In the women’s team, Ulbusin Khakimova, Sogdiana Rafkatova, Mukhayyo Akhmatova, Farangiz Khodzhieva, Barchinoy Kodirova, and others are registered.

For Tajikistan, this will be one of the main regional competitors.

Russia: large team and danger in every weight block

The Russian lineup is one of the deepest: 23 athletes. In the men’s team, Ayub Bliev, Yago Abuladze, Danil Lavrentyev, Karen Galstyan, Taulan Bayseev, Eldar Allahverdiyev, Mansur Lorsanov, Adam Sangariev, and Artem Zolotukhin are listed.

In the women’s team – Kristina Dudina, Karina Efimova, Olga Mukhina, Natalia Elkina, Kamilla Badurova, Alexandra Ryabchenko, and Maria Ivanova.

Mongolia: strong school and traditionally tough opponents

Mongolia is always a threat in IJF tournaments, and their lineup in Dushanbe looks strong again. The roster includes Ariunbold Enkhtaivan, Tumenjargal Tuvshintur, Erkhembayar Battogtokh, Jantsandorj Unurbat, Shinebayar Oyunсimeg, Batsugar Gansukh, Khiderchuluun Bayartsengel, and Perenleijamts Usukhbayar.

In the women’s team, Nandin-Erdene Myagmarsuren, Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo, Khuslen Otgonbayar, Adiyasuren Amarsaihan, and Nominzul Dambadarjaa stand out.

Azerbaijan and Moldova: smaller roster but high quality

Azerbaijan is registering six men, including Murad Muradli, Nizami Imranov, Islam Rahimov, Rashid Mammadaliyev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Jamal Gamzatkhanov. The roster is small but serious in name, especially in the light and heavyweight categories.

Moldova is bringing eight men, with Denis Vieru, Adil Osmanov, Victor Sterpu, Petru Pelivan, and Mikhail Latishev catching the eye – a team capable of competing for medals in several weights.

China, Korea, and Iran: Asian competition

China is bringing 14 athletes: the men’s team includes Sun Jiaho, Lin Gaohui, Bu Hebilige, Huang Fuchun, and Li Haiyang, while the women’s team includes Hui Xinran, Zhuang Wenna, Zhang Yuanli, Tao Yuyin, Wang Nan, Zhang Wen, Wu Hongtao, Niu Xinran, and Aiman Jineshin’er.

Korea’s lineup is smaller but also interesting: Jeong Seungbom, Park Jun Hyun, Kim Jaemin, Kim Seheon, Kim Jiyun, Kim Yeji, and Yang Jiyeon.

Iran is registering four men’s weights: Abolfazl Mahmoudi, Elyas Parhizgar, Amir Abbas Choupan, and Mohammadpuriya Banaeian Tolki.

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: neighbors with different goals

Kazakhstan is sending a men’s team of 12 people. The roster includes Toktar Umutaliev, Nuradil Alzhan, Yerdaulat Bozsha, Nursultan Zaizagaliev, Dastan Shayakhmetov, Madi Zhetkergen, Askar Narkulov, Azat Kumisbay, Daniil Krylov, Nurzhan Bisenov, Mukhammedali Mavlidov, and Beybit Madeev.

Kyrgyzstan is represented by eight judokas: Ravshanbek Asanov, Shakhrudin Abdykadyrov, Yrysheldi Jumabekov, 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, Lubjana Piovesana, and Michaela Polleres. Italy is focusing on Tiziano Falcone, Odette Giuffrida, Kenia Perna, Giulia Carná, and Assya Tavano.

The Netherlands registered Michael Korrel, Joshua de Lange, Ian van Herk, Markus van Dijk, Emiel Jaring, Amber Gersjes, Marit Kamps, Yael van Heemst, and Carmen Dijkstra.

Serbia is represented by Nemanja Majdov, Miljan Radul, and Lazar Zdralja – a small but very notable men’s roster.

Teams with targeted entries

There are countries bringing one or two athletes to Dushanbe, but they cannot be underestimated. Bahrain registers Suhrob Boqiyev in the 66 kg category, Chile – Mary Dee Vargas Ley in the 48 kg category, the Czech Republic – Adam Kopecky in the 90 kg category, and Great Britain – Max Gregory and Rachel Hawks.

Finland is bringing Valteri Olin, Oskari Mykkanen, Pihla Matikainen, Louna-Lumia Seikkula, and Emma Krapu, while Poland – Ksawery Ignaszak, Grzegorz Teresiński, Jakub Sordyl, and a strong women’s block with Wiktoria Slazok, Kinga Klimczak, Aleksandra Kaleta, and others.

Overall, the main feature of the Grand Slam in Dushanbe is the density of competition. The hosts will have a strong and broad lineup, but alongside them are France, Uzbekistan, Russia, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, China, Kazakhstan, and other teams with athletes capable of immediately entering medal bouts.

For Tajik judokas, this is a home chance, but this tournament will certainly not be easy: in almost every weight category, there are several dangerous opponents, which is why the May start in Dushanbe promises to be one of the most interesting events of the season.