In this episode of Changemakers of Uzbekistan, we meet Diyora Keldiyorova, the Olympic judo champion whose historic gold medal win is transforming the perception of women in sports.
ADVERTISEMENTDiyora Keldiyorova made history as Uzbekistan’s first female Olympic judo champion, securing gold in Paris. Her victory followed years of rigorous training and a challenging recovery from injury just months before the Games.
Now, she is focused on LA 2028 while also fostering the next generation of athletes. Recently, she opened a judo club that has already attracted dozens of young girls, a shift in a country where combat sports were traditionally male-dominated. Keldiyorova’s success is reshaping perceptions of women in sports, highlighting growing opportunities for female athletes in Uzbekistan.
