The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has quickly become one of the top judo nations in the world. Not only is the country producing some of the best judo players in the world, but it is also hosting some of the biggest and most prestigious tournaments.
Over the years, UAE has produced a number of world-class judo athletes who have won medals at the World Championships, the Asian Championships, and the Olympic Games. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best judo players in the UAE.
We will look at their achievements, background, and even their personal stories. We hope that this article will inspire and motivate you to take up the sport of judo and become the best you can be.
1. Sergiu Toma
Sergiu Toma is a Moldovan-born judoka who competed for the United Arab Emirates in the 81 kg category at the 2016 Olympic Games. His first match was against Takanori Nagase, and he was successful in this match, advancing to the semi-finals.
However, he was unfortunately defeated in the semi-finals by Khasan Khalmurzaev. He did not give up, though, and he was able to win the bronze medal match against Matteo Marconcini, securing his place in Olympic history. Toma had to overcome many obstacles to make it this far.
He was born in Moldova, a country with a long history of judo, yet he chose to represent the United Arab Emirates instead. This was a brave decision that paid off, as he was able to make it to the semi-finals and ultimately win the bronze medal.
His determination and perseverance were rewarded, and he is now an inspiration to many judo enthusiasts. Toma’s success in the 2016 Olympic Games was a great accomplishment for himself and the country he represented.
His victory not only brought him recognition but also increased the visibility of judo in the Middle East. Toma has shown that it is possible to achieve great things, even when faced with difficult odds.
His inspiring story is a reminder that hard work and dedication can lead to success, no matter what the circumstances may be.
2. Ivan Remarenco
Ivan Remarenco is an impressive athlete who has had success competing for two different countries. He was born in Moldova, and he competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics for the country in the -90 kg event.
However, he was determined to reach greater heights, so he moved up in the weight category to -100 kg. After that, he decided to switch countries and represent the United Arab Emirates at the 2014 World Judo Championships. His hard work paid off as he won a bronze medal.
This shows the dedication and determination Ivan Remarenco has for his sport, and his story is sure to inspire many other athletes.
3. Victor Scvortov
Victor Scvortov is a judoka, a practitioner of the Japanese martial art of judo, who was born in Moldova. He began his career competing for his birth nation in international judo tournaments, but in 2013 he moved to the United Arab Emirates, along with two other Moldovan judoka.
This decision allowed him to compete under the United Arab Emirates flag, giving him the opportunity to represent a nation with a much larger judo program and more resources to compete at the highest level. Since his move to the UAE, Scvortov has achieved great success.
He won gold medals at the 2016 and 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tournaments, and he also competed at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. His success is certainly a testament to his hard work and determination, and his commitment to excellence in the sport of judo.
He is an inspiration to athletes everywhere who strive to reach the top of their sport, no matter where they come from.
4. Nugzar Tatalashvili
Nugzar Tatalashvili is a judoka from Georgia. He had the opportunity to compete at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the men’s 73 kg event. Unfortunately, he was eliminated in the first round by South Korean judoka Wang Ki-Chun.
Despite this setback, Tatalashvili went on to have success in the 2013 European Judo Championships, where he earned himself a silver medal. This was a great accomplishment for him, and it shows that he is a talented judoka who is dedicated to his sport.
5. Humaid Alderei
Humaid Al-Derei is an Emirati judoka who gained recognition for his performance in the 2012 Summer Olympics. He competed in the Men’s 66 kg category, pitting himself against some of the world’s best judokas.
Unfortunately, he was unable to progress further than the second round, where he was defeated by a fellow competitor.
Despite not progressing to the later stages of the tournament, Al-Derei’s performance was remarkable, as it showcased the talent and potential of the Emirati judoka in the international stage.
6. Saeed Rashid Al Qubaisi
Saeed Rashed Al-Qubaisi is a renowned athlete from the United Arab Emirates who specializes in the lightweight judo category.
He made history in 2008 when he became the first Emirati athlete to ever compete in a combative sport at the Olympic Games, representing his nation at the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
His participation in the event was a monumental achievement for the United Arab Emirates and for the entire Middle East region. Al-Qubaisi is highly respected in his homeland for his athletic achievements, and his presence at the 2008 Summer Olympics gave hope to athletes from the Middle East who aspire to compete at the highest level of sport.
His success has inspired other athletes from the region to pursue their dreams and to strive for excellence. Al-Qubaisi’s career is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication.
His dedication to his judo training has enabled him to reach the pinnacle of his sport, and his inspiring story has served as an example to athletes in the Middle East and beyond.
He is a true role model for athletes in the region, and his legacy will serve as a source of inspiration for many generations to come.
Conclusion
The United Arab Emirates has a rich and vibrant Judo community, with some of the best players in the world. From national champions to international athletes, the UAE is home to many talented judokas who have achieved major successes in this ancient martial art.
With the support of the government, local clubs and federations, the UAE is sure to be a major force in Judo for many years to come.
