The key facts

  • Uzbekistan's robotics team won FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in Incheon, South Korea, winning all 16 matches and scoring a record 637 points.
  • The team finished ahead of Mexico and China overall and won gold medals in the final as part of an alliance with Venezuela, El Salvador and Moldova.
  • On October 13, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev awarded state medals to the champions and their mentors.

President of Uzbekistan Awards World Robotics Champions

Uzbekistan's national robotics team became champion of the international competition FIRST Global Challenge 2026, held October 7–10 in Incheon, South Korea. The tournament, dedicated to the theme of preventing wildfires and restoring affected territories, featured participants from about 190 countries. The Uzbek robotics team won all 16 matches and scored 637 points, setting a competition record, Kun.uz reports.

According to Gazeta.uz, in the overall standings the Uzbek team finished ahead of Mexico and China. In addition, as part of an international alliance with the teams of Venezuela, El Salvador and Moldova, the Uzbek team won gold medals in the tournament final. On October 12, the team was ceremonially welcomed in Tashkent.

On October 13, by decree of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the winners and their mentors were awarded state honors. The medal «Sodik xizmatlari uchun» was awarded to head coach of the national team Ziyodulla Botakhanov. The medal «Kelajak bunyodkori» was awarded to team captain Ibrokhim Salomov, technical coach Abdullo Abdujabbarov, as well as team members Shokhrukhbek Akbarov, Akbarshokh Kosimov, Ayubkhon Mirokhmedov, Umurbek Pardayev, Shukrullo Sodikov, Makhkambek Teshabayev, Jasurbek Tojiqoziyev, Bahodir and Khondamir Urmanov, and managers Safina Teshabayeva and Khasankhon Yusupkhodzhayev. It is noted that the next tournament will take place in 2027 in Madrid (according to Gazeta.uz).