By Rumaiza Norova
Toyohashi, Japan, September 22, 2026: Makhsatullo Muminov gave Tajikistan its first medal of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, taking bronze in
the men’s -55kg kumite and returning his country to an Asian Games karate podium after 24 years.
Muminov defeated Indonesia’s Muhammad Tegar Januar 8–0 in the bronze-medal bout at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium, securing Tajikistan’s first medal of the Games.
The result carried historical weight for Tajik karate. Isroil Ismoilov had been the country’s previous Asian Games karate medalist, winning bronze at Busan 2002. Muminov became the second Tajik karateka to
reach an Asian Games podium.
His medal also followed another major result only days earlier. At the Asian Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships in Amman, Jordan, Muminov
won the U21 men’s -55kg title, moving almost immediately from an age-group continental championship to the senior Asian Games.
“When I stood on the podium today, I felt that I was an Asian Games medalist,” Muminov said. “When I came down, I was the same athlete I was before. I still have many goals ahead.”
He said those goals come with expectations from the people around him.
“I am still young,” Muminov said, adding that his coaches and team officials have placed considerable trust in him.
The next target he identified is the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Games are scheduled for December, with karate included in the programme.
“I can say with confidence that at the Asian Indoor Games in Saudi Arabia, I will try to bring a worthy medal home,” he said. “We will not stop here. We will keep competing internationally and representing
our country.”
Muminov also dedicated his achievements to the people of Tajikistan, saying that representing his country at major Asian and international
events remains central to what motivates him as an athlete.
In less than two weeks, Muminov moved from U21 Asian champion in Amman to Asian Games bronze medalist in Toyohashi. The 24-year wait for
another Tajik karate medal at the Games is over, and his attention is already on the next competition.