Naimova sees 'no obstacle' to repeating Tokyo triumph at Paris 2024

Para taekwondo athlete Guljonoy Naimova was only 20 years old when she – to the surprise of many – won the women's +58kg K44 gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

It became the start of a new chapter in her life for Uzbekistan's youngest Paralympic champion.

Naimova continued on the winning path, the next year becoming the only fighter in the world to be a Paralympic, world and Para Grand Prix champion at the same time.

"The gold medal of the Paralympic Games signifies, above all, my identity," she said. "I view this medal as the foundation for my future victories."

‘Meaning of life’

The 23-year-old, who was born with a plexus lesion, which affects her ability to raise and extend her left arm, had started out practising rhythmic gymnastics when she was 11 but quit the sport after a year.

"I had an argument with my rhythmic gymnastics coach and left to join taekwondo," Naimova said. "At that time, my younger brother was also going to taekwondo training, so I started after him."

She fell in love with the sport. It has played a big part of her life over the past decade as she has become one of Asia's most successful athletes.

"Para Taekwondo has become the meaning of my life and has shaped who I am today," Naimova said. "I can't imagine myself without sports. For me, sports are an integral part of my life."

She said the "prayers of my parents", "attention from our country" and "my love for this sport" for making it to the top of the world, adding that there is one special person who deserves extra praise. After her parents had divorced, she had stayed with her mother and struggled with the economy.

"My mother plays a very important role in my success in sports and in my life. I draw my motivation and energy from her," Naimova said.

Road to victory

As Uzbekistan did not yet have a Para taekwondo programme, she started out competing against taekwondo athletes who are able-bodied. 

In January 2015, the International Paralympic Committee announced the sports programme for the Tokyo 2020 Games, which included Para taekwondo and Para badminton for the first time. And later that year, she joined the country's newly created Para taekwondo team.

"I felt a little scared during my first competitions. I thought it would be more challenging in Para taekwondo," she said.

Naimova made her international debut when she was 17, winning silver in the 2017 Asian Championships in the Republic of Korea, failing only to beat Great Britain's Amy Truesdale who was ranked No.1 in the world.

It was the first of many times the two Para taekwondo superstars would stand against each other. Naimova won medals at the 2017 World Championships and the 2017 IWAS (World Abilitysport) Games, both times defeated by Truesdale in the final.

In 2018, however, she won her first international gold medal as she became Asian champion after beating the Brit 9-8 in a dramatic final.

The success made Uzbekistan's government invest more money in the Para taekwondo team, making it possible for Naimova and her teammates to train for seven hours per day, three days per week.

And as the sport made its Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020, Naimova was ready to get her hands on one of the first Para taekwondo gold medals.

"The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games introduced me to the world and nurtured my dreams. I still remember it with emotion and tears. The Tokyo Paralympic Games will remain in my heart for the rest of my life," Naimova said.

Golden rivalry

Two years before the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Naimova had looked ready to take the world title from Truesdale but lost the 2019 World Championships final in Antalya, Turkey, to Brazil's Debora Menezes. In the Asian Para Open Taekwondo Championships in Amman, Jordan, later that year, Truesdale took the title as Naimova had to settle for bronze.

At Tokyo 2020, she beat her two main rivals on the way to the life-changing triumph. After overcoming Truesdale in the semifinal, Naimova defeated Menezes, 13 years her senior, with an 8-4 win in the gold medal match. The Uzbek said no-one had expected her to win.

"It is definitely difficult to fight with older athletes because they have more experience," she said. "However, my coach Bobur Koziyev provides guidance during training on how to compete against experienced opponents. This is why I believe I have been able to achieve the victories I have today."

According to Naimova, the most unforgettable moment of her life came after she returned from Japan as she was awarded the honourary title "Pride of Uzbekistan" by the country's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev. And the Paralympic gold medal was not just of symbolic value.

"It not only improved my material life but also that of my entire family," said Naimova, who became the main breadwinner for her family.

"Following the Games, I was awarded 200,000 USD by our government, along with a house and an expensive car," she said. "Originally, I am from the Surkhandarya region and most of the national team training takes place in the capital, Tashkent. Previously, I lived in a rented house there, but now I have my own house in Tashkent."

Confident for Paris

With even further improved training conditions and more experience, Naimova has set her eyes on her next challenge; to defend her title at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

"Throughout my career I have participated in numerous competitions in the capital of France, but I have never secured a gold medal there. That's why I am determined to put an end to this streak at the Paralympic Games in Paris," she said. "Additionally, as the current champion, my aim is to defend my title."

She will come to Paris full of confidence, having won the gold medal at last year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where Para taekwondo was included in the programme for the first time.

"Having a gold medal from another prestigious competition in my collection has increased my confidence as I prepare for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. These experiences will help me win a gold medal," Naimova said.

"I love Paris and I'm in a great mood ahead of the Games there. Not only do I prepare physically, but I also prepare emotionally for every competition. You will see how ready I am during the competition."

Asked what is her biggest obstacle to repeat her Tokyo 2020 triumph, she did not mention any of her main rivals.

"I don't see any obstacles. Everything depends on me, and all my attention is now focused on training," Naimova said. "There's no way I'm going to lose at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games."

Even if her second Games are not as life-changing as her first, she has plans for afterwards that well could be. Plans that could put her battle for world titles on hold for some time.

"Life is not just about sports," Naimova said. "After the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, there was a big change in my personal life, I got married. After Paris 2024 I plan on having a child. I will try to achieve all my planned goals."

Discover more about Para taekwondo and the 22 sports in the Paris 2024 Paralympic sports programme 

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