RussianJudokaOlympianOlympic medalist

Tamerlan Tmenov

Tamerlan Tmenov is a distinguished Russian judoka, Olympic silver and bronze medalist, seven-time European Champion, and current Vice President of the Russian Judo Federation.

1. Early Life and Background

Tamerlan Tmenov's journey in judo began in his early life, setting the foundation for a distinguished career.

1.1. Birth and Early Environment

Tamerlan Ruslanovich Tmenov was born on July 27, 1977, in Vladikavkaz, which was then part of the Soviet Union. His birthplace in North Ossetia-Republic of Alania, a region known for its strong wrestling traditions, likely influenced his early exposure to combat sports.

2. Junior Career

Tmenov quickly rose through the ranks in judo, achieving significant success at the junior level before transitioning to the senior circuit.

2.1. Junior European and World Championships

As a junior, Tmenov demonstrated his potential by securing top honors in prestigious competitions. In 1995, he claimed the gold medal in the -95 kg category at the European Junior Judo Championships held in Valladolid, Spain. The following year, in 1996, he further cemented his status as a rising star by winning gold in the -95 kg division at the World Judo Juniors Championships in Porto, Portugal.

3. Senior Career

Tamerlan Tmenov's senior career was marked by consistent high-level performance and numerous medals at the most prestigious international judo competitions.

3.1. Olympic Games

Tmenov participated in three Olympic Games, earning two medals. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, he secured a bronze medal in the +100 kg category. Four years later, at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, he advanced to the final, winning a silver medal in the +100 kg division. His final Olympic appearance was at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he finished in fifth place in the +100 kg heavyweight category.

3.2. World and European Championships

Tmenov's dominance was particularly evident at the European Judo Championships, where he amassed an impressive seven gold medals over his career. These victories occurred in 1998 in Oviedo, 1999 in Bratislava, 2001 in Paris, 2002 in Maribor, 2003 in Düsseldorf, 2005 in Moscow (in the Open class), and 2008 in Lisbon. He also earned a silver medal in 2000 in Wrocław and bronze medals in 2004 in Bucharest and 2006 in Tampere at the European Championships.

At the World Judo Championships, Tmenov secured four medals, though a gold medal eluded him. He won bronze medals in 1997 in Paris and 2003 in Osaka. He later achieved two silver medals: in 2005 in Cairo (in the Open class) and in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro (in the +100 kg category). He also placed seventh at the 1999 World Championships.

3.3. Fighting Style and Attributes

Standing at 73 in (185 cm) and typically weighing around 276 lb (125 kg), Tamerlan Tmenov was known for his formidable power and physical strength. This raw strength was a key weapon, exemplified by an instance at the 2003 World Championships team event where he famously threw Kōta Ueguchi, a Japanese judoka weighing 353 lb (160 kg). Despite his immense power, a notable weakness in his fighting style was his stamina, which sometimes affected his performance in prolonged matches. His preferred techniques included Harai Makikomi and Tomoe Nage.

3.4. Notable Opponents and Rivalries

Throughout his career, Tmenov faced many strong opponents, but his encounters with Japanese judokas, particularly at the Olympic Games, were notable. His aspiration for an Olympic gold medal was thwarted by Japanese competitors on multiple occasions. In the semifinals of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he was defeated by Shinichi Shinohara. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, he reached the final but lost to Keiji Suzuki. Later, in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, his path to the top was again blocked by another Japanese judoka, Satoshi Ishii. These matches underscored a significant rivalry between Tmenov and top Japanese heavyweight judokas.

4. Post-Retirement Activities

After a long and illustrious competitive career, Tamerlan Tmenov transitioned into new roles within the judo community.

4.1. Retirement from Competition

Tamerlan Tmenov officially retired from professional judo competition in July 2010, concluding a career that spanned more than a decade at the highest levels of the sport.

4.2. Administrative Role

Following his retirement, Tmenov remained actively involved in judo. He took on an administrative position, serving as the Vice President of the Russian Judo Federation. This role allowed him to contribute to the development and governance of judo in Russia, leveraging his extensive experience as a top athlete.

5. Major Competitive Record

Tamerlan Tmenov achieved considerable success throughout his judo career, securing numerous medals at various international and domestic tournaments.

YearTournamentPlaceWeight class
1995European Junior Championships1st-95 kg
1996World Junior Championships1st-95 kg
1997Russian International1st+95 kg
Austrian International3rd+95 kg
Georgian International1st+95 kg
World Championships3rd+95 kg
1998Dutch International3rd+100 kg
European Championships1st+100 kg
World Military Judo Championships1st+100 kg
1999Kodokan Cup2nd+100 kg
German International1st+100 kg
Hungarian International1st+100 kg
European Championships1st+100 kg
2000Dutch International1st+100 kg
European Championships2nd+100 kg
Olympic Games3rd+100 kg
2001German International1st+100 kg
Belarusian International1st+100 kg
European Championships1st+100 kg
2002Russian International1st+100 kg
French International3rd+100 kg
European Championships1st+100 kg
2003Kodokan Cup3rd+100 kg
Estonian International1st+100 kg
European Championships1st+100 kg
World Championships3rd+100 kg
2004Czech International1st+100 kg
European Championships3rd+100 kg
Olympic Games2nd+100 kg
2005Estonian International1st+100 kg
World Military Judo Championships2nd+100 kg
World Championships2ndOpen class
2006Kodokan Cup3rd+100 kg
Portuguese International1st+100 kg
European Championships3rd+100 kg
2007Belgian International1st+100 kg
German International1st+100 kg
Russian International1st+100 kg
World Championships2nd+100 kg
2008European Championships1st+100 kg
Olympic Games5th+100 kg
2009Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro5th+100 kg

6. Legacy and Assessment

Tamerlan Tmenov is widely regarded as one of the most prominent judokas of his generation, particularly within the heavyweight division. He reigned as a top competitor in the world of judo for over ten years, becoming a representative figure for Russian judo alongside fellow heavyweight Alexander Mikhailin. His consistent appearances at major international events, including frequent visits to Japan for competitions like the Kodokan Cup, made him a well-known name globally.

Despite his remarkable achievement of securing seven gold medals at the highly competitive European Championships, Tmenov never managed to claim an Olympic or World Championship gold medal. This elusive top honor in the most prestigious tournaments remains a notable aspect of his career, especially given his undeniable power and long tenure at the elite level. His sustained presence and numerous medals solidify his legacy as a formidable and respected athlete in the history of judo.