Information Agency “Jahon”- Thirty five hundred years is the age, according to historians, of the national Uzbek wrestling – kurash. From the very ancient times, it has been not only the type of wrestling but also an entertainment at traditional holidays, festivities and weddings.
Yet Herodotus mentioned kurash in his description of life and customs of nations who resided on the soil of contemporary Uzbekistan. The legendary epos “Alpamysh”, which a thousand years old itself, call kurash the most favorite and widespread type of wrestling. The great statesman and military commander Amir Temur used kurash for enhancing the level of combat training and tenacity of his soldiers.
The ages have passed since then but love and affection of people toward kurash have not vanished. Conversely, for over the years of independence of Uzbekistan it has turned into one of the most favorite sports in Uzbekistan. It is not for nothing that they say that kurash is in the genes and in the blood of the Uzbek people. Today there are more than two million kurash wrestlers in Uzbekistan. Kurash is not only one of the most ancient types of wrestling, but one of the most dynamically developing sport which has numerous fans throughout the world.
For more than three thousand years techniques, rules and philosophy of kurash passed from generation to generation. However, until recently there were no attempts to systemize and consolidate the knowledge on kurash. These elaborations started only after Uzbekistan’s independence. Upon the initiative of President Islam Karimov, the concept of developing the Uzbek kurash, as well as the universal rules of kurash which combined the centuries-old traditions of bravery and humanism and requirements of modern sport were elaborated.
The weight categories, gestures and terminology based on 13 Uzbek words, duration of combat, wrestlers’ and referees’ sportswear were introduced in kurash. It has become a full-fledged modern sport. A number of large tournaments took place in different parts of Uzbekistan. They were of great success in promoting kurash. Kurash was presented at large prestigious sport forums, which took place in South Korea, Canada, Japan, India, USA, Monaco, Russia and other countries.
In September 1998 Tashkent hosted the first international tournament on kurash which was attended by wrestlers from over 30 countries of Asia, Europe and Pan America. The tournament witnessed truly historical moment – on 6 September, 1998, members of 28 countries of Europe, Asia and Pan America established the International Kurash Association – the official international body representing the Uzbek kurash on the international arena. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov was elected as Honorary President of the Association.
From 1999 to 2003 the IKA established its structural system - the Continental federations of Asia, Europe and Pan America, Africa and Oceania were established and joined the Association. For only five years of its activities the IKA covered all continents of the planet. Probably, this is the most dynamic development in the history of the world sport. By the end of 2008, the IKA includes more than 110 countries of Asia, Africa, Europe, Pan America and Oceania.
The major event in the world of Kurash is of course the world championship. The first tournament of this level took place in May 1999 in Tashkent. Wrestlers from 48 countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and pan America gathered in the capital of Uzbekistan. President of Uzbekistan, Honorary President of IKA Islam Karimov attended the opening ceremony of the championship.
Then were world championships in Antalya (Turkey, 2000), Budapest (Hungary, 2001), Yerevan (Armenia, 2002), Tashkent (Uzbekistan, 2005).
From the very beginning, the IKA has been paying a special attention to the development of kurash among youth. Thus, in May 2000 the Russian town of Tver hosted the first world championship among youth and juniors. Wrestlers from 20 countries battled then. A year later Tver again welcomed the participants of the 2nd world championship among youth and juniors. The ancient city of Shakhrisabz was the venue for the 3rd championship in 2004 while Santo-Domingo city of Dominican Republic hosted the 4th tournament in 2006.
Many tournaments and cups are held upon the initiative of IKA and in cooperation with continental and national federations of kurash as well. In particular, since the year 2000 UK and since 2004 Greece host the international tournaments of Islam Karimov. Since 2002, the annual Puria Vali tournament is held in Iran. Since 2003 Turkey has been the venue for Bosporus international tournament. Such Uzbek cities as Tashkent, Shakhrisabz and Nukus are the traditional hosts of international tournaments for the prize of the President of Uzbekistan.
International recognition of kurash, its inclusion in the program of international tournaments has been one of the priorities of the IKA. With this view the leadership of the Association holds regular meetings with leaders of prestigious international sport organizations, ministers of sport and other influential sport executives. This work has been efficient. In January 2003, kurash was recognized by the 22nd General Assembly of the Asian Olympic Council, which opened a door for inclusion of kurash in the program of Asian Games – the continental model of Olympic Games. In December 2006, Doha (Qatar) hosted the 15th summer Asian Games which saw the first exhibition trials of kurash.
In 2002, the IKA instituted its award – the IKA Golden order, which is presented to prominent political and public figures for their contribution in the international development of kurash. The first order was presented in 2002 to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Later on the leader of Indian National Congress Party Sonia Gandhi, President of IOC Jacques Rogge, President of Asian Olympic Council Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah Al-Fahad, President of General Assembly of Association of National Olympic Committees Mario Vazkez Ranya were decorated with the order.
Independence of Uzbekistan discovered one of the most beautiful and noble sports, brought kurash to the world arena where it has unfolded its wings and has been securing yet new highs. Kurash is not one of the most ancient types of wrestling, which embodies the centuries-old conceptions of strength, courage, integrity, honor, respect for rival, but one of the most dynamically developing types of sport which has already gained millions of fans throughout the world.
Photo
Video
Audio
