Diyora Keldiyorova returned to competition by winning the gold medal in the 52 kg division at the Aqtau Asian Open 2026 in Kazakhstan, prompting an official statement of praise from the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.
National Olympic Committee Issues Official Statement on Comeback
The National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan formally acknowledged the victory through a public statement celebrating the athlete’s return to the tatami. “Our champion is back: Diyora Keldiyorova wins gold in Aqtau,” the committee stated, welcoming the judoka back after her maternity leave and subsequent time away from international competition.
Dominant Path to the 52 kg Final in Kazakhstan
Keldiyorova controlled her weight class throughout the tournament stages in Aqtau. After overpowering her early opponents with consistent tactical displays, she advanced to the final round. In the final, the judoka faced an athlete representing Azerbaijan, defeating her opponent with a perfect ippon to capture the gold medal and reaffirm her competitive standing.
Paris 2024 Olympic Legacy and Maternal Break
The tournament marked Keldiyorova’s return to competition following her historic gold medal run at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In Paris, she defeated the favorite and four-time world champion Uta Abe of Japan and went on to defeat Tokyo 2020 champion Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo in the final. That victory made her the first woman in the history of Uzbekistan to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. Following the Games, she paused her competitive career for the birth of her child before beginning her preparation for the current Olympic cycle in Aqtau.
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