Finally gold for Serdar Rahimov

The final of the Dushanbe Grand Slam 2024 U66kg category was a gripping encounter filled with intensity and strategic maneuvers. Dzhebov and Rahimov engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with Dzhebov coming close to scoring early on with yoko-tomoe-nage. Despite an extended ne-waza exchange where Dzhebov threatened with leg entanglements, Rahimov managed to hold on. As the fight entered golden score, Rahimov gradually gained momentum, launching repeated attacks while Dzhebov struggled to respond. Ultimately, Dzhebov received his third penalty for passivity, handing Rahimov the historic victory as the first judoka from Turkmenistan to win a grand slam gold medal.

This triumph not only secured Rahimov a direct qualification position for the Olympics but also propelled him past his compatriot in the Olympic rankings.

In the bronze medal contests, Chernykh tactically outmaneuvered Vadjiev, capitalizing on his opponent's attacking errors to secure the victory. Khalifaev and Nutfulloev engaged in a dynamic exchange of attacks, culminating in Khalifaev's decisive throw with a tsuri-goshi to soto-makikomi combination, earning him the bronze medal.

The top seed, Walide Khyar, exited the competition early, paving the way for the fourth seed, Obid Dzhebov, to showcase his skill and regain his title. Dzhebov displayed outstanding form throughout the tournament, delighting the home crowd with his series of ippon victories. In the final, Dzhebov's composure and skill were evident as he overpowered Nutfulloev with a well-executed sumi-gaeshi throw, securing the win and reaffirming his dominance in the U66kg category.