The 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia became one of the key events of the season for the countries of the Muslim world, and the Uzbekistan national team made the most of this opportunity. The national side not only steadily collected medals throughout the tournament, but by the end of the competition also secured a place among the leaders of the overall standings, once again confirming the high level of its sport on the international stage.
Medal Haul: Figures That Speak for Themselves
According to official data from the National Olympic Committee, Uzbek athletes finished the Games with an impressive total of 96 medals. The team’s tally includes 29 gold medals, which formed the foundation of the squad’s medal haul. In addition, they claimed 35 silver medals and 32 bronze medals. Such a balance of first, second and third places demonstrates not a one-off breakthrough, but consistent competitiveness across several sports.
Competition Among 57 Countries and the Battle for the Top
The tournament brought together athletes from 57 countries, and the fight for positions in the overall team ranking continued right up to the final events. Under these conditions, making it into the top three is already a major success, and Uzbekistan ultimately finished the Games in second place. Only Turkey ranked higher, winning the team standings. At the same time, the Uzbekistan team left behind many strong opponents who traditionally feature among the leaders of the Islamic sports landscape.
From Men’s Tournament to Equal Opportunities
Interestingly, these Games have a history closely tied to Saudi Arabia. It was here, in Mecca, that the first Islamic Solidarity Games were held in 2005. At that time only men took part, and the tournament was perceived as a fairly conservative format. The modern version of the Games is fundamentally different: women’s events have been added to the programme, and the participation of female athletes has become an integral part of the tournament concept. This gives the current Islamic Solidarity Games additional status and turns them into an important platform for the development of women’s sport in the region.
A New Benchmark for Uzbek Sport
The successful performance in Saudi Arabia has become for Uzbekistan far more than just a nice line in the statistics. Second place in the overall standings, 96 medals won and consistent results across different sports create a serious foundation for the future. For the national team, this tournament can become a starting point for even more ambitious goals — from successful appearances at continental championships to confident performances at the Olympic Games.
