Russian judoka Ayub Bliev became, this Friday (28), in Abu Dhabi, the first athlete from his country to win a title under the Russian flag since the nation’s complete reintegration into the sport, announced on Thursday (27) by the International Federation.
Bliev, 28, won the final against Ariunbold Enkhtaivan, from Mongolia, and will receive the gold medal under the national flag and to the sound of the Russian anthem, something that has not happened since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian judokas have competed since 2023 under neutral status.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) went against the grain in February 2022, initially rejecting the total ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes recommended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and immediately adopted by a large part of the sporting world. His exclusion only occurred in September of that year.
No Russian judoka participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics under a neutral flag.
“Russia has always been an outstanding nation in the world of judo, and its full return should enrich competition at all levels, while respecting the IJF principles of equity, inclusion and respect,” the federation said in announcing Russia’s full reinstatement, with flag and anthem, on Thursday.
