Tashkent, Uzbekistan, March 4, 2025: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan met with Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, during his visit to the country last week.
The visit underscored the growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and the IJF in the development of judo as a national sport and the promotion of martial arts across the country.
During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev and Marius Vizer discussed the expansion of collaboration in the field of judo, focusing on the enhancement of Uzbekistan’s national judo school. The two leaders emphasised the importance of further popularising the sport within Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan has cemented its role as a key player in the international judo community by hosting a number of major international competitions in recent years.
The country also achieved a historic milestone in 2024 when, at the Paris Olympics, Diyora Keldiyorova won Uzbekistan’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in judo.
Marius Vizer praised Uzbekistan’s comprehensive reforms aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting various sports across the country. He specifically noted the wide involvement of youth, particularly girls, in sports programmes.
In a significant gesture of appreciation, President Mirziyoyev presented Marius Vizer with the Dustlik (Friendship) Order, one of Uzbekistan’s highest state awards.
The award was given in recognition of Vizer’s outstanding personal contribution to the development of judo in Uzbekistan and his long-standing support for the sport.
Earlier during his visit, Vizer met with the leaders of the Uzbekistan National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.
