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A pictogram of Kazakh wrestling. Note the upright position of the wrestlers.
Kazakh wrestling (Qazaq Kuresi) 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]
The earliest rock paintings in Kazakhstan depicting wrestling can be traced to 1200-600 BC. Kazakh wrestling was a central part of military training. The intended purpose of Kazakh wrestling is believed to be threefold:[3]
To train the soldiers' balance while handling a chariot.
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 former capital of Kazakhstan) in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (modern-day Kazakhstan) in the Soviet Union in 1938. The competitions are traditionally held in the cities of the republic. The first international tournament was held in 1952 among Asian participants. After the independence of Kazakhstan from the Soviet Union in 1991, the popularity of Kazakh wrestling has increased, and national championships and leagues have been held every year.
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. The first Asian Championship in Kazakh wrestling was held in Altai Krai, Russia, in 2005. There was an international tournament named after the then-president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in November 2005. More than 100 athletes from 25 countries participated. Among them were Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, and others. Mongolia held the second Asian Championship in July 2011.[4] The Kazakh wrestling championship was held in August 2011.
Techniques
Designed for close combat, the techniques were aimed at knocking an opponent off balance from a standing position. This allowed a soldier to use fighting techniques in a real battle at close quarters, with a weapon in hand. The techniques and methods used in Kazakh wrestling have strong similarities with those found in Judo and Mongolian wrestling. 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. As a result of this, sacrifice throws and throws that cause the thrower to drop to one or two knees are not favoured. The wrestlers are not allowed to touch the legs but can freely grab the jacket and the belt of the opponent.
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.[5]
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.
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