World Ranking leader U73kg Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov

Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov has developed into one of the most consistent athletes in the U73kg category and finished 2025 as the leader of the IJF World Ranking. Originally competing for Russia, he has represented the United Arab Emirates since 2024 and quickly became one of the country’s strongest assets on the World Judo Tour. Makhmadbekov is the first World Ranking Leader for UAE since Victor Scvortov in 2014.

Makhmadbekov first gained international attention during his junior years when he secured bronze at the 2019 European Junior Championships in Vantaa. His transition to senior level was swift and successful, highlighted by major victories at Grand Slam events. He captured gold at the Grand Slam in Kazan in 2021 and followed that with victories in Baku in 2021 and Ulaanbaatar in 2022.

His consistency continued across the circuit with strong performances at several major tournaments. In 2023 he won the Grand Prix in Dushanbe and added Grand Slam bronze medals in both Baku and Abu Dhabi. A year later he took gold at the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi and also reached the podium at the Qazaq Barysy Grand Slam in Astana.

At the 2025 World Championships in Budapest, Makhmadbekov secured a valuable bronze medal, further strengthening his position among the elite of the division. Additional podium finishes on the IJF World Tour helped him rise to the top of the world ranking by the end of the season.

He continued his momentum in 2026 with victory at the prestigious Paris Grand Slam, confirming his status as one of the leading contenders in the U73kg division.

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