Inal TASOEV and Guram TUSHISHVILI (GEO) may seem like an unlikely friendship, but the respect they have for one another in unparalleled. After winning the +100kg World Championship final, Tasoev said about his worthy opponent,
Thanks to this judoka I will remember my career as historic because how can I win a judoka like this in the final of the World Championships?! Even though it was the seventh fight together and I won six, he is very strong and a great judoka. Thanks to him, people will remember my judo, they will know I wasn’t fighting with losers but with strong warriors.
To be the best, you must beat the best. This is clearly something Tasoev feels strongly about and is grateful to have such strong opponents to make him worthy of a place in the World Judo history books!
So what does it mean to claim the world title in 2025?
It is an indescribable feeling, the last time, in 2023, there were two World Champions, so I didn’t really feel it properly, I was a hero and World Champion for people at home of course, but for me, I was happy to win this gold today and really feel like the World Champion, not a double.
What were the feelings walking out in to the arena for the +100kg title?
To be honest, everything was good but I didn’t eat before the final, so I thought, you know I feel hungry! I was tired, didn’t feel like I had the energy, wanted to sleep, maybe it was down to feeling the nerves, because of course I was nervous to compete against a judoka like Tushishvili, but I was able to get myself together to win the fight.
In an unfortunate event due to seeding, Tasoev had to face very close friend and team mate, Tamerlan BASHAEV in the semi final. How tough is to take on this task in a major event?
First of all, Tamerlan is my very good friend and I respect him a lot. It was upsetting that we had to face each other in the semi final, I think it would have been amazing to see him in the final instead. I was very much worried for him during the bronze medal contest and I’m upset that he couldn’t take the bronze but I’m sure he will still take medals, he is a warrior.
With Tasoev believing more will come for Bashaev, many will now be looking to Tasoev in 2026 in Baku to see whether or not he can defend it, or will it be time for Tushishvili to reclaim it in the place he won in 2018?
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen