Temur Rahimov wins luxury car in Tajikistan judo competition

The inherent drive for success by Temur Rahimov earned Tajikistan’s top judoka a grand prize of a sleek limousine at the two-day Capital Cup competition held in Dushanbe last weekend.

Rahimov, the country’s leading judo exponent, went home in style driving a Mercedes Benz which was the grand prize for winning the main event at the March 20-21 event held in the Navruzgoh of Dushanbe to mark the Navruz holiday.

Rahimov, who fights in the +100kg category, won the gold medal and the car defeating Shakarmamad Mirmamadov in the final. Saidjalol Saidov took third place.

Athletes weighing more than 80kg took part in the competition for the grand prize. Rahimov, who had defeated Mirmamadov in the final of the +100kg class, once again proved too strong and skillful defeating the same opponent to set his hands on the plum prize.

A total of 209 judokas divided into eight teams took part in the two-day competition. On the first day, the preliminary rounds in eight weight classes were held with the best qualifying for the final rounds on the second day.

Winners were awarded medals by the Committee for Youth and Sports, as well as monetary awards by the executive body of the State of Dushanbe. But only Rahimov went home in a luxury limousine.