20-year-old Turkmen athlete Serdar Rahimov won a gold medal in the weight category up to 66 kg at the Grand Slam tournament, Dushanbe Grand Slam-2024, which started in Dushanbe (Tajikistan).
On the way to the championship title, Rahimov won five victories. In the first round he defeated Byambasuren Ulzibayar from Mongolia. Serdar then won fights against Julien Frascadore (Canada), Mulorajab Halifayev (Tajikistan) and Bobur Vadzhiev (Uzbekistan). In the final, Rahimov defeated the representative of Tajikistan, Obid Jebov.
Serdar began practicing judo in Hojambaz (Lebap velayat) under the guidance of his first coach Bayram Sherapov. Currently, he is improving his skills in the national team of Turkmenistan, which in 2023 will be headed by Japanese specialist, holder of 7th dan Kodokan judo Kazuhiko Tokuno.
Turkmen judokas continue to gain points in qualification for the XXXIII Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, competing at major international tournaments. The last qualifying stage will be the World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE) from May 19 to 24.
The Olympics in the French capital will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.