A successful series of international koresh tournaments has recently taken place in Uzbekistan. The events were aimed at developing and promoting the traditional belt wrestling discipline, strengthening sporting ties between nations, and advancing ethnosport. The series culminated in the large-scale celebration of Sabantuy in Tashkent on May 31.
The tournament program consisted of several key stages:
Among the distinguished guests were:
The presence of such distinguished guests underscored the high status of the tournament series and its importance for the international development of koresh.
The international koresh tournaments were organized on the initiative of the International Koresh Federation with the support of the Asian Belt Wrestling Confederation, the Uzbekistan Belt Wrestling Federation, and the Department of National Wrestling of the Uzbek State University of Physical Culture and Sports. Holding the final stage of the competition within the framework of Sabantuy symbolically highlighted the inseparable connection between koresh and the cultural traditions of the peoples who preserve and develop this unique martial art.
Approximately 100 of the strongest wrestlers from Russia, India, and Uzbekistan took part in the competition. The athletes demonstrated exceptional skill in fiercely contested bouts conducted in strict accordance with the official koresh rules.
Competitors contested medals in several weight categories: up to 65 kg, up to 75 kg, up to 85 kg, up to 100 kg, over 100 kg, and the absolute weight category. Following intense competition, the winners in each division were determined: Asadbek Khaydarov (Uzbekistan), Ilnar Zakirov (Russia), Dinar Karimullin (Russia), Zaylobiddin Ortikov (Uzbekistan), Ayrat Fatkhulin (Russia), and Ilfat Minnegaliev (Russia).
The awards ceremony took place in Mirzo Ulugbek Park as part of the Sabantuy celebrations, adding a special sense of festivity and sporting excitement to the event. According to long-standing tradition, the absolute champion of the tournament received a special prize — a live ram. This symbolic gesture paid tribute to centuries-old customs and became one of the highlights of the ceremony, drawing enthusiastic applause from the thousands of spectators in attendance.
The tournament program consisted of several key stages:
- The international Friendship Cup tournament in Namangan, where competitions were held in several wrestling disciplines, including koresh. The event brought together more than one hundred athletes and set a high standard for the entire series.
- Bouts of the international tournament at the Chirchiq Olympic Reserve School, where finalists were determined. Competitors demonstrated outstanding technique and endurance in their quest to advance to the decisive stage of the competition.
- The final matches and the official awards ceremony held as part of the largest Sabantuy celebration in Tashkent. The event took place in Mirzo Ulugbek Recreation Park in front of an audience of 60,000 festival guests.
Among the distinguished guests were:
- Shamil Khisamutdinov — Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, World Champion, and a native of Uzbekistan;
- Ravil Nogumanov — Chairman of the Board of the International Koresh Federation;
- Andrey Slushaev — Consulting Coach of the Koresh Federation and Chairman of the Spartak Sports Society;
- Danis Shakirov — Deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan and Head of the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars;
- Alexey Yerkhov — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia in Uzbekistan;
- Ravshan Dastirov — President of the Uzbekistan Belt Wrestling Federation;
- Muminhodja Muratov — President of the Asian Belt Wrestling Federation;
- Rashid Matkarimov — Rector of the Uzbek State University of Physical Culture and Sports;
- Rishat Nabiullin — Chairman of the Tashkent Tatar Cultural Center.
The presence of such distinguished guests underscored the high status of the tournament series and its importance for the international development of koresh.
The international koresh tournaments were organized on the initiative of the International Koresh Federation with the support of the Asian Belt Wrestling Confederation, the Uzbekistan Belt Wrestling Federation, and the Department of National Wrestling of the Uzbek State University of Physical Culture and Sports. Holding the final stage of the competition within the framework of Sabantuy symbolically highlighted the inseparable connection between koresh and the cultural traditions of the peoples who preserve and develop this unique martial art.
Approximately 100 of the strongest wrestlers from Russia, India, and Uzbekistan took part in the competition. The athletes demonstrated exceptional skill in fiercely contested bouts conducted in strict accordance with the official koresh rules.
Competitors contested medals in several weight categories: up to 65 kg, up to 75 kg, up to 85 kg, up to 100 kg, over 100 kg, and the absolute weight category. Following intense competition, the winners in each division were determined: Asadbek Khaydarov (Uzbekistan), Ilnar Zakirov (Russia), Dinar Karimullin (Russia), Zaylobiddin Ortikov (Uzbekistan), Ayrat Fatkhulin (Russia), and Ilfat Minnegaliev (Russia).
The awards ceremony took place in Mirzo Ulugbek Park as part of the Sabantuy celebrations, adding a special sense of festivity and sporting excitement to the event. According to long-standing tradition, the absolute champion of the tournament received a special prize — a live ram. This symbolic gesture paid tribute to centuries-old customs and became one of the highlights of the ceremony, drawing enthusiastic applause from the thousands of spectators in attendance.