In a powerful display of skill, discipline, and rising athletic talent, Iran’s cadet judo team has emerged as the undisputed champion of the 2025 Cadet Asia Cup, held in Amman, Jordan. By securing the top positions in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, the Iranian squad demonstrated not only technical excellence but also a strategic dominance that outpaced some of Asia's best young judokas.
Iranian cadet judo team becomes champions of the Asia Cup in both the boys and girls divisions in Amman, Jordan.
The two-day event, which took place from August 21 to 22, gathered a strong field of 108 cadet-level judokas from 13 countries, all vying for continental honors in one of the region’s most prestigious youth judo competitions.
By the time the final bouts concluded on Friday night, Iran had firmly established itself as the leading force at the tournament, collecting a total of nine medals: four gold, three silver, and two bronze, thereby claiming the overall championship title and affirming their growing prominence in Asian judo.
A Dominant Performance Across the Board
From the outset, the Iranian cadet team exhibited focus and a well-prepared tactical approach. Coaches and team managers ensured that each athlete entered the mat with confidence, composure, and a clear strategy. Iran's judokas advanced through the brackets with a level of consistency that caught the attention of observers and rival coaches alike.
Ultimately, the gold medals were won by Samira Khakkhah, Sobhan Hakimi, Abolfazl Nazari, and Yasin Parhizgar—each delivering standout performances in their respective weight classes. Their victories were marked by efficient ippon wins, tactical superiority, and an impressive ability to read opponents' movements under pressure.
The silver medalists—Hossein Novin, Amirhossein Nazari, and Mohammadreza Kazemi—also performed admirably, reaching the finals after a series of hard-fought victories. Despite narrowly missing out on gold, their matches were a testament to the depth and resilience within Iran’s youth judo program.
Completing the medal tally were bronze medalists Younes Shabani and Tara Bagheri, who battled through the repechage rounds with grit and determination, turning early setbacks into podium finishes.
With medals spread across both the boys' and girls' divisions, the performance reflected not just individual excellence, but a well-rounded, inclusive national program that emphasizes development for all young athletes.
Podium Standings and Final Rankings
As the medals were tallied and the tournament drew to a close, Iran stood unchallenged at the summit of the team rankings, having outperformed some of the region’s traditional judo powerhouses.
🥇 1st Place: Iran – 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze
🥈 2nd Place: Syria – [Exact medal count unavailable, but confirmed second place]
🥉 3rd Place: Kuwait – [Exact medal count unavailable, but confirmed third place]
This commanding finish not only delivered the championship title to Iran but also served notice to other judo federations in Asia: Iran's future in judo is bright, and its rising generation is already making a mark on the international stage.
Spotlight on Gold Medalists
Samira Khakkhah (Girls' Division)
Samira Khakkhah was one of the standout athletes of the tournament. Competing in a highly contested girls’ weight class, she showed technical proficiency beyond her years. Her foot sweeps and grip fighting were precise, and she won each of her matches by ippon, the highest score in judo. Her final bout drew applause from even rival fans, as she executed a flawless seoi-nage (shoulder throw) to clinch gold.
Khakkhah’s victory is particularly symbolic of the growing investment in women's judo in Iran. As more resources and attention are devoted to female athletes, performers like her are becoming ambassadors for a new generation of Iranian sportswomen on the international stage.
Sobhan Hakimi (Boys' Division)
Another major highlight was Sobhan Hakimi’s march to the top of the podium. Displaying maturity and power in the -66kg category, Hakimi handled some of the tournament's most technical opponents with calm confidence. His semi-final bout was arguably one of the most thrilling of the tournament, where he reversed a losing position with a swift counterattack, turning the tide in dramatic fashion.
Abolfazl Nazari and Yasin Parhizgar
Rounding out Iran’s gold medal quartet were Abolfazl Nazari and Yasin Parhizgar, both of whom demonstrated an elite understanding of judo mechanics. Nazari's tactical discipline and Parhizgar’s dynamic style made them crowd favorites, and their performances suggested strong potential for success at higher levels of competition, including junior and senior international events in the coming years.
The Importance of Developmental Success
Iran’s dominance in Amman didn’t happen overnight. This victory is the result of years of investment in judo at the grassroots level. Under the guidance of the Iranian Judo Federation, the nation has made significant strides in identifying, nurturing, and training young athletes through local clubs, national camps, and exposure to international tournaments.
National training camps for cadets have increased in frequency and quality in recent years, focusing on strength conditioning, match simulations, technical refinement, and psychological resilience. This structured pathway has allowed promising judokas to gain invaluable experience early in their careers, and the results in Jordan are clear evidence of its effectiveness.
The Iranian federation’s emphasis on equal development for both male and female judokas has also paid dividends. While the boys’ team has traditionally performed well, the rise of young female talents like Khakkhah and Bagheri reflects a new era of inclusion and ambition.
A Tournament of Rising Stars
The 2025 Cadet Asian Cup in Amman wasn’t just about medals—it was also a showcase of the future of judo in Asia. With competitors from 13 different countries, the tournament brought together a wide range of styles and approaches to the sport.
Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, known for their judo heritage, fielded strong squads, as did newer participants from the Gulf region, such as Kuwait and Bahrain, who have been investing heavily in youth sports development.
Syria, which finished second overall, impressed with a disciplined and energetic team, earning praise for their technical improvement over recent years. Kuwait, meanwhile, secured third place with a balanced performance, highlighting their fast-growing judo program.
The Role of the Host Nation
Jordan, as host of the tournament, played a crucial role in the success of the event. The competition was held in a well-organized venue in Amman, and logistical arrangements were handled with efficiency, earning positive reviews from coaches and athletes alike. Jordanian officials ensured that athletes were well accommodated and that tournament proceedings ran smoothly.
Although Jordan’s own cadet team didn’t reach the podium this time, their participation was spirited and their athletes gained vital exposure that will benefit them in future competitions. Hosting such an event further reinforces Jordan's growing role as a regional hub for international sports competitions.
Looking Ahead: The Junior Cup
The excitement in Amman isn’t over. Following the cadet competition, the Junior Asia Cup will take place from August 23 to 24, featuring athletes aged 18 to 21. Many of the cadet champions, including Iran’s gold medalists, are expected to graduate into this category over the next year or two.
This upcoming tournament provides a natural continuation for the development of young judokas and offers another platform for nations to evaluate their long-term talent pipeline. Given the performance of their cadets, Iran will enter the junior competition with momentum and confidence.
Voices from the Mat: Coaches and Athletes Reflect
Iranian Head Coach – Cadet Division
Speaking after the tournament, Iran’s cadet team coach expressed pride in the team’s achievement:
“Our preparation started months ago. We focused on not just physical training but also mental conditioning and team unity. What you saw on the mat was the result of hard work and dedication. I’m very proud of every athlete—whether they medaled or not. This is a team win.”
Sobhan Hakimi (Gold Medalist)
“It’s a dream come true. I’ve been training for this moment since I was a child. To win gold wearing the Iranian flag on my back—it’s hard to describe. I want to thank my coaches, my family, and my teammates. This is just the beginning for me.”
Tara Bagheri (Bronze Medalist)
“After losing my second match, I felt very disappointed, but my coaches reminded me that I still had a chance. I came back stronger in the repechage and fought with everything I had. I learned a lot in this tournament, and I’m motivated to improve.”
