A delegation of 16 judokas from Turkmenistan will participate in the prestigious Grand Slam international tournament, scheduled to take place from June 19 to 21 in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar. The news was officially announced on the website of the International Judo Federation (IJF).

The national team selection features the country's top-tier competitors, including Serdar Rahymow (up to 66 kg) and Maisa Pardayeva (up to 57 kg), both of whom represented Turkmenistan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In total, the high-profile tournament in Mongolia will welcome 455 elite judokas representing 59 nations from around the world.

Alongside Serdar Rahymow, the men's national roster includes Mekan Remezanow and Ural Bagtyyarow (up to 60 kg), Meylis Shamyradow and Yolaman Amansahedow (up to 73 kg), Agajan Ayhanow and Batyr Merdanow (up to 81 kg), Omurzak Halmuminow (up to 90 kg), Baymyrat Majanow and Deniz Karatayew (up to 100 kg).

The women's squad features Ejegyz Geldiyewa (up to 48 kg), Narjemal Omirowa (up to 52 kg), Maisa Pardayeva and Medine Oraznyyazowa (up to 57 kg), Yyldyz Myradowa and Oguljan Ruslanowa (up to 70 kg).

The Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam marks the official starting line for the next Olympic qualification cycle ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Ranking points within the IJF World Tour will be distributed based on performance: tournament champions will earn 1,000 points, silver medalists will secure 700 points, and bronze medalists will claim 500 points. The top 18 judokas in the world rankings for each weight class will earn a direct ticket to the Olympics (limited to one athlete per nation per weight class), with subsequent spots awarded via continental quotas.