Ayub Belyev became the first Russian athlete to win a medal under his country's flag after the International Judo Federation fully reinstated Russia's membership.Belyev (28) won the gold medal by defeating Ariunbold Khaltar of Mongolia in the final. This is the first time a Russian athlete has won a medal under the national flag since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Since 2022, Russian athletes have competed under a neutral flag as part of the Russian Judo Federation team. The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tournament is being held at the Mubadala Arena, with 373 elite athletes from 52 countries participating. The Russian team has returned to compete under its national flag after previously participating as part of the International Judo Federation team.
