Uzbekistan at Asian Games 2026: A Top-5 Medal Power
Uzbekistan has quietly become one of Asia’s most consistent medal machines, finishing 5th overall at the last two Asian Games. Here’s what’s confirmed so far about Uzbekistan’s path to Aichi-Nagoya, its strongest sports, and its squad status.
Uzbekistan’s Asian Games Track Record
Uzbekistan has finished 5th overall at both of the last two editions, remarkably consistent for a country of roughly 35 million, and a clear step above most of its Central Asian neighbors.
| Edition | Rank | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Jakarta-Palembang | 5th | 21 | 24 | 25 | 70 |
| 2022/23 Hangzhou | 5th | 22 | 18 | 31 | 71 |
Source: Uzbekistan at the 2018 Asian Games and Uzbekistan at the 2022 Asian Games, Wikipedia (compiled from official OCA results).
Uzbekistan’s Strongest Sports
Judo and kurash, Uzbekistan’s own national combat sport, anchor its medal program, alongside wrestling, weightlifting, and a boxing program widely regarded as among the strongest amateur setups in the world.
| Sport | 2022 Medals (G-S-B) |
|---|---|
| Judo | 9 (3-2-4) |
| Kurash | 6 (4-1-1) |
| Weightlifting | Led 2018 haul; Ruslan Nurudinov set an Asian Games clean-and-jerk record of 230kg |
| Boxing | No single-year medal count confirmed, but described as one of the world’s strongest amateur programs |
Note: also traditionally competitive in wrestling, canoeing, rowing, and taekwondo.
Squad Status for 2026
Unlike Japan, China, South Korea, and India, Uzbekistan’s national federations had not published individually-named 2026 Asian Games rosters as of this research (about five weeks before the opening ceremony). This is common for NOCs that finalize squads closer to the Games. What we could confirm:
| Sport | What’s Known | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Football (Men’s U-23) | Drawn into Group C with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Kuwait, team confirmed to compete, individual roster not yet named | Group Drawn |
| Football (Women’s) | Drawn against China, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, team confirmed to compete, individual roster not yet named | Group Drawn |
| Esports | Confirmed to compete in Gran Turismo 7, eFootball, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and PUBG Mobile with group opponents outlined; individual gamers not yet named | Disciplines Confirmed |
| Weightlifting | Head coaches named for the April 2026 Asian Championships (a separate event); no Asian Games roster found yet | Coaching Staff Only |
| Boxing, Judo, Kurash, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Canoeing, Rowing, Athletics, and more | No named 2026 Asian Games roster located as of this research | Not Yet Announced |
Names to Know From Recent Cycles
While the 2026 roster isn’t fully public yet, these are the athletes and programs that have carried Uzbekistan’s recent Asian Games success and are reasonable ones to watch for again:
Ruslan Nurudinov, the weightlifter set an Asian Games clean-and-jerk record of 230kg at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, part of a weightlifting program that led Uzbekistan’s medal count that year.
Judo and kurash depth: Uzbekistan won 15 combined medals across judo and kurash at Hangzhou 2023, reflecting sustained investment in grappling sports tied to the country’s wrestling and combat-sports heritage.
Boxing program: Uzbekistan’s amateur boxing setup has been described by international coverage as among the strongest in the world heading into recent Olympic cycles, making it a program worth watching even without individual 2026 names confirmed yet.