Gold Medalist Sarvarbek Abdumuminov Leads Duke Kunshan University Judo Team to Historic National Finals
Winning the championship is a meaningful moment for me as both an athlete and a student,
Sarvarbek Abdumuminov said following his performance. While winning is exciting, I believe the most important thing is continuous growth as an athlete and never being satisfied with your current level.
Sarvarbek Abdumuminov, an undergraduate student from Uzbekistan enrolled at Duke Kunshan University in 2025, captured two gold medals in the over 100 kg division during the 2026 competitive circuit. Competing as a member of the DKU Judo Team, Abdumuminov secured a victory at the 2026 “One City One Camp” National Judo City Tour Changsha Stop, held from September 19 to 20, 2026. That opening performance earned him the over 100 kg gold medal and successfully qualified his squad for the national finals.
Abdumuminov Wins Gold at National Judo Finals
Building on his qualifying success in Changsha, Abdumuminov traveled to Chongqing for the 2026 “One City One Camp” National Judo City Tour Finals and National Dojo Club Judo Championship. Held from October 5 to 6, 2026, the tournament brought together 472 athletes representing 65 delegations from across China under the organization of the Chinese Judo Association. Abdumuminov repeated his dominance in the heavier weight division, capturing another gold medal in the 100-kilogram-plus category. The event marked the first time the Duke Kunshan University Judo Team had participated in the National Finals.
Balancing Rigorous Academic Goals with Elite Training
As a Class of 2025 undergraduate student, Abdumuminov balances a demanding academic schedule with competitive martial arts training. The university structure allows him to pursue his educational objectives while maintaining his commitment to judo. Reflecting on the physical and mental demands of his dual lifestyle, Abdumuminov noted that balancing university studies and training requires significant effort, but highlight moments like tournament victories make all the hard work worthwhile.
Broad Squad Success Across the Tournaments
Abdumuminov was not the only athlete to find success during the fall circuit. The broader Duke Kunshan University squad amassed 11 total medals across the Changsha and Chongqing competitions. Teammates including Andranik Pambukhchyan, Bronze Urfrig, Saydmalikkhon Agzamkhodjaev, and Iliyas Yessenaly also medaled in their respective weight classes after initial qualification rounds that drew nearly 600 competitors across 67 delegations in Changsha under judo coach Yang Yang.
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