The World Judo Championship held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, crowned Arman Adamyan of Russia as the champion in the 100 kg division. In a gripping final, Adamyan faced Lukasz Krpalek of the Czech Republic, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and emerged victorious. The decisive moment came when Krpalek received his third penalty in the championship bout, which awarded Adamyan the win by automatic rule and sealed his status as the world champion. This victory marked the first World Championship medal for a Russian judoka in Doha and signaled a significant breakthrough on the global stage for the Russian team.
Leading up to the event, the International Judo Federation had allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag in international meets. In late April, the IJF extended neutral-status participation to 17 Russian judokas at the World Championships, subject to verification procedures and adherence to guidelines that governed their participation. The policy aimed to balance competitive opportunities with broader considerations surrounding neutrality in sport during times of geopolitical tension while ensuring that the competition remained compliant with applicable regulations.
That policy framework was reinforced by a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee executive board during a meeting held on a separate date, which advised allowing Russians to compete under neutral status provided they did not actively support hostilities in general or in combat-related actions. The emphasis was on distinguishing purely athletic competition from any other activities, with additional restrictions applied to competitors affiliated with law enforcement or armed forces who would be ineligible to participate under these neutrality rules.
The ongoing debate about neutrality and eligibility also drew public commentary from political leaders and policymakers. In particular, former foreign ministers from Latvia and Liechtenstein publicly expressed opposition to the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Olympic Games in Paris, highlighting concerns about the broader implications for international sports and political signaling. These discussions underscored the complexity of balancing competitive fairness, safety, and international diplomacy when deciding how nations should participate in major athletic events during periods of geopolitical strain. The outcomes of such deliberations continue to shape how sporting federations implement neutrality policies, monitor compliance, and communicate the framework to athletes, teams, and fans around the world.