Diyora Keldiyorova reflects on her sporting journey

Diyora Keldiyorova, who made history by winning the first gold medal for Uzbekistan in judo at the Paris Olympics, shared insights about her journey in an interview with UNESCO. She revealed that her grandmother played a crucial role in her sports career.

"I joined sports when I was 6 years old," Keldiyorova explained. "My grandmother inspired me to start because she had a background in wrestling but didn’t pursue it further due to societal expectations. She encouraged me and my sister to continue our sports activities."

At 15-16 years old, Keldiyorova faced pressure from acquaintances who urged her grandmother to have her stop playing sports, suggesting she should learn traditional skills like sewing and cooking. However, her grandmother stood firm in her support.

"She told us to invest our lives in something meaningful," Keldiyorova recalled. "When a woman supports another woman, it creates immense strength, enabling us to achieve any desired outcome. To succeed in any field, you must first love what you do."

Throughout her impressive career, the 26-year-old Keldiyorova has not only become an Olympic champion but has also claimed five Grand Slam titles, a Grand Prix, and a gold medal at the Asian Games.