Today, July 25, the final matches of the "Yerevan Mayor Cup" boxing tournament, which is ongoing in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, will take place.
As part of this prestigious tournament, which features some of the world's strongest boxers, two representatives of the national team of Uzbekistan are competing in the final.
To'rabek Habibullaev, who defeated Iranian boxer Hadi Mohammadnejad 5:0 in the semi-finals of the -90 kg weight category yesterday, will face Armenian representative Davit Simonyan in the final bout today.
Additionally, Shahzod Muzaffarov, who won against the host country's Surene Rubinyan in the semi-finals of the -55 kg weight category, will fight for the gold medal against another Armenian boxer, Vagharshak Keyan.
It should be noted that members of our national team, Iqboljon Kholdorov and Samandar Olimov, previously won bronze medals at the "Yerevan Mayor Cup" tournament.
Following the 19th Summer Asian Games in Hangzhou (China) in 2022, where the Uzbekistan delegation achieved its best historical results in terms of the quantity and quality of medals, attention is now focused on the upcoming 20th Summer Asian Games to be held in Japan.
Currently, the Ministry of Sport, the National Olympic Committee, and relevant sports federations are taking necessary measures to achieve worthy results at the 20th Summer Asian Games, which will take place in the cities of Aichi and Nagoya (Japan) from September 19 to October 4 of this year. Training camps are being organized for national teams, and analytical work and monitoring are being conducted with the participation of experts and specialists.
The Ministry of Sport, the National Olympic Committee, and the federations for wrestling, martial arts, mixed martial arts, and other sports have analyzed the preparation processes carried out jointly with the heads of these federations. During discussions, issues regarding the physical and psychological preparation of athletes for prestigious international competitions, as well as the effective organization of training camps, were reviewed.
Reports from responsible persons on the preparatory activities being conducted were heard at the meeting. Recommendations were put forward to improve the activities of coaches and strengthen the selection system. Following the discussion, the heads of the sports federations were instructed to timely and qualitatively fulfill the assigned tasks, increase the performance of athletes on the international stage, and ensure worthy participation in future Asian Games.
Previously, at the Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018, the country's athletes won 20 gold, 24 silver, and 25 bronze medals. In 2022, the figures improved: 22 gold, 18 silver, and 31 bronze medals were won. According to the author, the large-scale reforms being implemented in the country in the field of updating sports infrastructure, developing mass sports, and preparing qualified athletes indicate that 'Aichi-Nagoya-2026' will mark the beginning of new successes in the country's sporting history.
Nevertheless, in major sports, success in intense competitions against the strongest teams from giant countries depends not only on adequate preparation but also on luck. The author expresses hope that the athletes and national teams, oriented towards 'battles' at the Asian Games, will always have open doors to success.
The 58th International Chemistry Olympiad, held in Uzbekistan, is highly significant due to its prestige and scale. This prestigious competition reflects the deep reforms underway in the country's education sector, increased attention to youth, and the fruitful work of teachers.
Participants and mentors who attended the Olympiad shared their impressions of the conditions created in Uzbekistan and the Olympiad itself. Carlos Mauricio Castro Acuna, a mentor from Mexico, noted that such Olympiads gather the most talented and educated young people, and hosting this event in Uzbekistan demonstrates the state's high regard for providing quality education to its youth.
Maruf Addin from Bangladesh emphasized his awareness that Uzbekistan is a land of great scientists. He highly praised the traditional opening ceremony of the Olympiad, noting its high standard and solemn atmosphere. Addin added that chemistry plays a key role not only in studying the properties of substances but also in developing fields such as pharmaceuticals, ecology, environmental protection, medicine, and industry. He also mentioned that his team prepared thoroughly for participation in the Olympiad.
Alexander Zuraev, a mentor from the Republic of Belarus, stated that they have been preparing their students for this Olympiad for a year. He mentioned that the Belarusian team successfully participated in the Al-Biruni International Science Olympiad held in Uzbekistan in 2025. Zuraev believes that Uzbekistan's significant focus on educational development is crucial for ensuring a bright future for the country.
Esun Kim from Ghana expressed a sense of uniqueness upon stepping onto this land, noting that Uzbekistan is a country with a rich historical, educational, and cultural heritage, situated at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road. He concluded that scientific Olympiads are an invaluable platform for testing the intellectual potential of talented youth, developing logical thinking, and motivating them to achieve high results.
Olympiads not only identify the strongest participants but also serve as a solid foundation for shaping future scientists and highly qualified specialists. João Marcelo Alves Aires from Brazil commented on the beauty and solemnity of the opening ceremony of the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad, which began in Tashkent. He was also aware of the high level of organization of the Al-Biruni International Olympiad, which had taken place there previously. Alves Aires stressed that scientific Olympiads encourage individuals toward continuous work, research, and knowledge acquisition, and they also serve as a venue for exchanging experiences and meeting peers.
He wished good luck to all his colleagues at this prestigious platform for knowledge exchange. In the author's opinion, the spirit of the Olympiad helps discover many talented people who honor their homeland.
