Diyora Keldiyorova won a gold medal for Uzbekistan at the 2026 Aktau Asian Open
Diyora Keldiyorova won the gold medal for Uzbekistan at the Aktau Asian Open 2026, making a strong return to the world arena as an Olympic champion in judo. One.uz reports on this.
In this tournament, in the -52 kg weight category, she defeated all her opponents. In the final, she faced Farida Mirzayeva from Azerbaijan and won by throwing her to the mat, successfully concluding her first official competition after a long break in sports. This victory served as a historic test for her professional career, allowing her to restore her competitive edge and reach new heights on the world stage.
Warm reception and a sense of belonging in Kazakhstan During the tournament, Diyora felt a very sincere and warm connection with the residents of the city of Aktau. She says: “When I met with fans, even ordinary people recognized me and wanted to take photos with me.
It was very pleasant for me, as I did not expect that people far from sports would know my name.” In these moments, the Uzbek athlete felt as free and welcomed as if she had returned home, feeling like she was among family members. She greatly enjoyed walking around the city and chatting with the locals. History of victory and future plans Diyora Keldiyorova defeated Japan’s Uta Abe at the 2024 Paris Olympics, entering history as the first female Olympic champion in judo for Uzbekistan.
After this victory, she announced a break from sports and experienced the joy of motherhood in her family life. Winning the gold medal at the Aktau Asian Open 2026, two years later, indicates that she still retains the ability to conquer the peaks of world sports for a long time, marking her combat readiness and return.
This result is not accidental in her professional and personal life; it is the outcome of consistent work and patience directed toward initial goals. Source: One.uz
