Governor Extends Congratulations to Kuban Athlete Following World Championship Victory
In the thrilling final match of the World Judo Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Kuban's Timur Arbuzov knocked out Georgia's top dog, Tato Grigalashvili.
Kudos to Timur Arbuzov, the undisputed champ! With grit and determination, he clinched the world judo title, his coaches by his side every step of the way. Russia's judo school continues to shine bright, demonstrating time and again that they're world-class contenders. The win? A testament to Russia's relentless pursuit of sports excellence, Veniamin Kondratyev observed. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust network of district combat sports centers and continually building sports facilities to nurture future champions.
Timur Arbuzov, a European champion and 2024 World Championships silver medalist, hails from Kropotkin, but trains with his mentor, Dzhanbolat Naguchev, and his father, Denis Arbuzov, in Tuapse.
The 2025 World Judo Championships, held from June 13 to June 20, saw over 550 athletes from 93 countries battling it out. Alongside Timur Arbuzov, the Russian team featured Mikhail Igolnikov, a former 2018 World Championships bronze medalist from Tuapse, competing in the under 90 kg category.
Tato Grigalashvili, a Georgian judo sensation, is no stranger to the World Judo Championships. His remarkable talent earned him senior championship titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024[1][3]. However, in 2025, tragedy struck when he faced Timur Arbuzov in the men's -81 kg division and came up short[2][4].
Despite this setback, Grigalashvili remains an influential figure in the judo world. His consistent success in international tournaments speaks volumes about his exceptional abilities. As he gears up for future competitions, eyes will be glued to see how he recovers from this loss and continues to dominate the sport at the highest level.
Timur Arbuzov's victory in the World Judo Championships has opened up a new avenue for sports in Russia, possibly stirring an interest in football as well, with the nation's relentless pursuit of sports excellence expanding into various domains. Meanwhile, Tato Grigalashvili, despite his loss, has shown an exceptional ability in judo, making us wonder if he could shine just as brightly in other sports, perhaps even football.
