Aminova earns Uzbekistan’s first Tashkent gold

Shukurjon Aminova gave Uzbekistan its first gold medal of the Tashkent Grand Slam by winning the women’s under-57kg title. She defeated Japan’s Mio Shirakane in the final after her opponent received a third penalty, completing a breakthrough day before the home crowd.

Aminova had earlier stopped top seed and world champion Eteri Liparteliani on the way to the final. Shirakane, the 2025 junior world champion, progressed from the other side of the draw after eliminating France’s Faiza Mokdar, a recent bronze medallist in Paris.

Jessica Lima won bronze in an all-Brazilian contest against Bianca Reis with a late yuko. Croatia’s Ana Viktorija Puljiz took the other bronze against Liparteliani, matching the Georgian’s waza-ari before securing a decisive yuko in golden score to complete the category’s podium.