Uzbekistan Sports Delegations Head to Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in 2026

Uzbekistan has the opportunity to nominate its candidate for the Asian Olympic Council (AOC) Athletes Commission. The nominee is taekwondo athlete Zhasurbek Zhaysunov, who is a medalist from the Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2022.

Zhasurbek Zhaysunov will represent the Central Asian region in the upcoming elections, which will take place during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The AOC Athletes Commission is responsible for protecting athletes' interests and participates in discussions regarding sports development and the organization of competitions at the Asian level.

According to the organization's information, the list of athletes vying for positions on this commission includes representatives from three different countries. Uzbekistan intends to put forward Zhasurbek Zhaysunov, who is a member of the national WT taekwondo team and won a medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Other candidates mentioned include Kazakh climber Amir Maimuratov, who participated in the Paris Olympics in 2024, and Iranian taekwondo athlete Aryan Salimi, who is the champion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The voting for commission members is scheduled from September 20 to October 2 and will take place as part of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. Only athletes directly participating in the Asian Games have the right to vote.

It is also noted that Zhasurbek Zhaysunov previously achieved success by taking first place in the under 80 kilograms category at the international Kim Un Yong Cup tournament held in Seoul.

The head coach of the Uzbekistan U23 national football team, Ravshan Khaydarov, officially unveiled the list of players who will participate in the upcoming Summer Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi-Nagoya-2026.

The team's first match in the group stage is scheduled for September 15. In the group, Uzbek footballers will compete against the national teams of the Philippines, Kuwait, and Vietnam.

Team Roster

The goalkeepers for the national team include Samandar Muratbaev from Nasaf club, Maxim Murkaev from Pakhtakor, and Umar Rustamov from Olympic Mobius. The defensive line consists of Giyesjon Rizakulov ('Qyzylkum'), Dilshod Murtazoyev, Kuvonchbek Khushvatov, and Dierbek Abdunazarov (all Nasaf players), Dilshod Abdullaev ('Pakhtakor'), as well as Ruziboy Faizullaev and Saidkhon Khamidov from Olympic Mobius.

The midfield was formed by the following players: Ravshan Khayrullaev ('Bukhara'), Mukhammedali Reimov ('Lokomotiv'), Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev ('Metallurg'), Sardor Bahromov ('Nasaf'), Ollobergan Karimov ('Sogdiana'), Azizbek Tulkunbekov ('Bunedkor'), Oybek Urmonjonov ('Dinamo'), Asilbek Jumaev ('Neftchi'), and Mukhammadali Urinboev, who plays for the Belgian club Antwerp.

The attacking line features Shodier Shodiboyev and Nurlan Ibrahimov from Lokomotiv, Firdavs Abdurakhmonov from Dinamo, and Amirbek Saidov from Sogdiana.

A meeting took place at the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan between the leadership of the Ministry of Sport and the NOC, and special representative of the US President, Paolo Zampolli. During the event, the parties reviewed the current level of interaction in the sports sphere and the potential for its further growth.

Vice President of the International Fencing Federation Ana Delgado and representative of the US Embassy in Uzbekistan Eric Collins were also present at the meeting. The participants discussed ways to strengthen international sports partnership, expand knowledge exchange, promote the Olympic movement, and implement new initiatives.

Preparation for Major Sporting Events

Significant attention was paid to the upcoming World Fencing Championship, scheduled for next year in Tashkent. Furthermore, the issue of ensuring the successful performance of the delegation of Uzbekistan at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles was discussed.

In conclusion, Paolo Zampolli sent congratulations to the people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of the country's independence.