Kazakh wrestling
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Kazakh wrestling, or Kuresi (Kazakh: Qazaq Kuresi or Қазақ күресі), is a traditional combat sport in which two athletes wrestle from a standing position, attempting to force both of their opponent's shoulders to touch the ground simultaneously.[1] It is considered an ancient martial art that can be traced back to the Nomadic tribes of Kazakhstan, where it served as both a form of combat training and entertainment.[2]
History
The earliest rock paintings in Kazakhstan depicting wrestling date back to 1200–600 BC.[3] Kazakh wrestling was a central part of military training. The intended purpose of Kazakh wrestling is believed to be threefold:[4]
- To train the soldiers' balance while handling a chariot.
- As part of a religious ritual; it served a ritualistic purpose.
- To train the soldiers in close combat, allowing them to knock or throw their opponent off balance while at the same time maintaining their own.
When people began to wear heavier armor, wrestling became even more important, as sword fights could quickly turn into grappling situations.
The first modern Kazakh wrestling competition was held at a sports festival in Almaty, the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, in the Soviet Union in 1938. The first international tournament was held in 1952 among Asian participants. After Kazakhstan gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the popularity of Kazakh wrestling increased, and national championships and leagues have been held every year since.
In 2004, Kazakhs organized the International Kazakh Wrestling Federation (IKWF) at the World Congress in Berlin. Serik Tukiev became the first president of the Federation.
In November 2005, the first Asian Championship in Kazakh wrestling was held in Altai Krai, Russia. It was named after the then-president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and more than 100 athletes from 25 countries participated, including: Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, and others. In July 2011, the second Asian Championship was held in Mongolia.[5]
Techniques
Designed for close combat, the techniques involved knocking an opponent off balance from a standing position. This allowed a soldier to use these techniques at close quarters in battle. The techniques and methods used in Kazakh wrestling have strong similarities to those found in Judo and Mongolian wrestling.
Rules
Victory is achieved when the opponent is thrown flat on their back. Points can also be achieved by throwing the opponent on the side or forcing them to a knee. The goal of Kazakh wrestling is to throw the opponent to the floor while remaining standing or falling on top of them. The wrestlers must attack above the belt; they are not allowed to touch the opponent's legs.[6]
Competitions
Wrestlers are divided into three groups depending on their age and eight categories depending on weight. Adults compete for ten minutes and teenagers for five minutes. Kazakh wrestling is included in zonal, regional, and republican sports festival programs. Teams are recognized throughout Kazakhstan.[7]
Before a match starts, wrestlers place their hands on their chests and bow. Wrestlers then greet their opponent with a hug before stepping backwards, after which the referee gives the signal to start the match.