Tajikistan Claims Early Success at 3rd CIS Games
The 3rd Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games, currently underway in Azerbaijan, have seen Tajikistan secure its first medals. Representatives from WTF Taekwondo were the first to reach the podium, marking a significant early achievement for the Tajik delegation at the multi-sport event. The Games, which commenced on September 28, 2025, and will conclude on October 8, 2025, are being hosted across seven cities in Azerbaijan, with Ganja serving as the designated 'Sports Capital of the CIS for 2025'.
Taekwondo Athletes Lead the Medal Count
The initial medal haul for Tajikistan came from its talented taekwondo athletes. Abdujafar Bahodur, competing in the 54 kg weight category, earned a bronze medal. He was joined by teammate Nurullo Murodov, who also secured a bronze medal in the 74 kg category. These achievements highlight the strength of Tajikistan's martial arts program. Following their success, sambo wrestlers Nazarali Kholov (64 kg) and Yosin Hukumatov (71 kg) further boosted the team's standing by also claiming bronze medals.
Overview of the 3rd CIS Games
The 3rd CIS Games have drawn considerable international attention, bringing together 1,624 athletes from 13 countries, including CIS member states and invited nations such as Turkey, Cuba, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Oman. A total of 23 sports disciplines are being contested, with 246 sets of medals to be awarded. The competitions are spread across various venues in Azerbaijani cities including Mingachevir, Gabala, Sheki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankendi, in addition to the main hub of Ganja. The opening ceremony, held on September 28 at the Ganja City Stadium, featured a parade of delegations, with young judoka Madina Qurbonzoda proudly carrying the flag for Tajikistan.
Tajikistan's Delegation and Historical Performance
Tajikistan's delegation for the 2025 Games comprises 144 athletes, demonstrating a strong commitment to the event. This marks Tajikistan's third participation in the CIS Games. In the inaugural 2021 Games in Kazan, Russia, Tajikistan finished 7th in the overall standings with 14 medals. At the second edition in Minsk, Belarus, in 2023, the team secured 13 medals, placing 8th among 22 participating countries. The early medals in Azerbaijan signal a promising start for the nation's athletes in this year's competition.
5 Comments
Fuerza
It's encouraging to see Tajikistan participating and winning at an international event like the CIS Games. Still, the prestige and competitive level of these games might not be on par with global championships, so perspective is key.
Ongania
Great to see smaller nations making their mark on the international stage.
Manolo Noriega
Securing medals early is definitely a positive sign for Tajikistan's delegation. However, with 144 athletes, we hope to see a much wider distribution of medals across various sports, not just martial arts, by the end of the games.
Ongania
It's great to see Tajikistan on the podium, which builds national pride. However, we should also acknowledge that these are bronze medals, and the ultimate goal should be gold in future competitions.
Manolo Noriega
Focusing on martial arts again. Where are the medals in other sports?