| Muaythai at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Venue | Ashgabat Muay Kickboxing Arena |
| Dates | 17–21 September 2017 |
Muaythai at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games was held at the Muay Kickboxing Arena in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan from 17 to 21 September 2017. [1]
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bantamweight 51–54 kg | Arnon Phonkrathok Thailand | Yelaman Sayassatov Kazakhstan | Luo Chenghao China |
Amir Hossein Kamari Iran | |||
| Featherweight 54–57 kg | Chotichanin Kokkrachai Thailand | Phillip Delarmino  Philippines | Rüstem Baýramdurdyýew Turkmenistan |
| Almaz Sarsembekov Kazakhstan | |||
| Lightweight 57–60 kg | Ali Zarinfar Iran | Prawit Chilnak Thailand | Adylbek Nurmetow Turkmenistan |
| Yerkanat Ospan Kazakhstan | |||
| Light welterweight 60–63.5 kg | Ruthaiphan Sapmanee Thailand | Abil Galiyev Kazakhstan | Nurgeldi Ataýew Turkmenistan |
Ameer Ibrahim Iraq | |||
| Welterweight 63.5–67 kg | Mustafa Saparmyradow Turkmenistan | Mana Samchaiyaphum Thailand | Bekzhan Matysaev Kyrgyzstan |
| Reza Ahmadnejad Iran | |||
| Light middleweight 67–71 kg | Anueng Khatthamarasri Thailand | Guo Dongwang China | Namik Neftaliyev Kazakhstan |
Nguyễn Thanh Tùng Vietnam | |||
| Middleweight 71–75 kg | Keivan Soleimani Iran | Vadim Loparev Kazakhstan | Ýusup Bäşimow Turkmenistan |
| Mustafa Raad Iraq | |||
| Light heavyweight 75–81 kg | Majid Hashembeigi Iran | Emil Umayev Kazakhstan | Ubbiniyaz Tureniyazov Uzbekistan |
| Döwletmyrat Güýjow Turkmenistan | |||
| Cruiserweight 81–86 kg | Shahez Fazil Iraq | Mohammad Al-Barri Jordan | Hayatullah Khairi Afghanistan |
Davlat Boltaev  Tajikistan |
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flyweight 48–51 kg | Bùi Yến Ly Vietnam | Fatemeh Yavari Iran | Cheryl Gwa Singapore |
| Selbi Jumaýewa Turkmenistan | |||
| Bantamweight 51–54 kg | Yadrung Tehiran Thailand | Ýaňyl Kawisowa Turkmenistan | Xu Yi China |
| Zohra Rezaye Afghanistan | |||
| Featherweight 54–57 kg | Jennet Aýnazarowa Turkmenistan | Sirisopa Sirisak Thailand | Maya Houdroge Lebanon |
| Gülşat Gylyjowa Turkmenistan | |||
| Lightweight 57–60 kg | Ratchadaphon Wihantamma Thailand | Saeideh Ghaffari Iran | Enejan Welmyradowa Turkmenistan |
| Chen Linling China | |||
| Light welterweight 60–63.5 kg | Janejira Wankrue Thailand | Trương Thị Hồng Nga Vietnam | Rola Khaled Lebanon |
| Zahra Bourbour Iran |
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Thailand (THA) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| 2 |  Iran (IRI) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 3 |  Turkmenistan (TKM) | 2 | 1 | 8 | 11 |
| 4 |  Vietnam (VIE) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 |  Iraq (IRQ) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 |  Kazakhstan (KAZ) | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 7 |  China (CHN) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 8 |  Jordan (JOR) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 Philippines (PHI) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 10 |  Afghanistan (AFG) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
 Lebanon (LBN) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 12 |  Kyrgyzstan (KGZ) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 Singapore (SGP) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Tajikistan (TJK) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Uzbekistan (UZB) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals (15 entries) | 14 | 14 | 28 | 56 | |
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Elazan Zamirbekov (KGZ) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Manuchehr Nazrivali (TJK) | 29 | Manuchehr Nazrivali (TJK) | 28 | ||||||||||||
| Luo Chenghao (CHN) | 30 | Luo Chenghao (CHN) | 29 | ||||||||||||
 Kwok Wai Hon (HKG) | 27 | Luo Chenghao (CHN) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Ahmad Hassanzada (AFG) | 29 | Arnon Phonkrathok (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Gary Tang (HKG) | 28 | Ahmad Hassanzada (AFG) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Farhat Döwletnazarow (TKM) | 27 | Arnon Phonkrathok (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Arnon Phonkrathok (THA) | 30 | Arnon Phonkrathok (THA) | 29 | ||||||||||||
| Mukhammadjon Kuchkorov (UZB) | 30 | Yelaman Sayassatov (KAZ) | 28 | ||||||||||||
 Chen Yu-xi (TPE) | 27 | Mukhammadjon Kuchkorov (UZB) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Bäşim Baýramow (TKM) | 27 | Amir Hossein Kamari (IRI) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Amir Hossein Kamari (IRI) | 30 | Amir Hossein Kamari (IRI) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Ali Saddam (IRQ) | 30 | Yelaman Sayassatov (KAZ) | 30 | ||||||||||||
 Ali Jaghl (SYR) | 27 | Ali Saddam (IRQ) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Yelaman Sayassatov (KAZ) | 30 | Yelaman Sayassatov (KAZ) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Ariel Lampacan (PHI) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Rüstem Baýramdurdyýew (TKM) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Hung Chia-ho (TPE) | |||||||||||||||
| Rüstem Baýramdurdyýew (TKM) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Mostafa Tabtoukhzadeh (IRI) | 28 | Phillip Delarmino (PHI) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Phillip Delarmino (PHI) | 29 | Phillip Delarmino (PHI) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Jakhangir Yuldashev (UZB) | 29 | Jakhangir Yuldashev (UZB) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Nguyễn Doãn Long (VIE) | 28 | Phillip Delarmino (PHI) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Sadi Sharipov (TJK) | Chotichanin Kokkrachai (THA) | 30 | |||||||||||||
| Chotichanin Kokkrachai (THA) | DSQ | Chotichanin Kokkrachai (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) | 29 | Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Muhammad Taqi Alizada (AFG) | 28 | Chotichanin Kokkrachai (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Resul Araşow (TKM) | Mohamad Kalach (LBN) | ||||||||||||||
| Mohamad Kalach (LBN) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 17 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Chen Yahong (CHN) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Adylbek Nurmetow (TKM) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Adylbek Nurmetow (TKM) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Ali Zarinfar (IRI) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Ali Zarinfar (IRI) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Mirbek Sartkalmakov (KGZ) | |||||||||||||||
| Ali Zarinfar (IRI) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Prawit Chilnak (THA) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất (VIE) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Prawit Chilnak (THA) | 30 | Prawit Chilnak (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Mahmoud Ghandour (LBN) | 27 | Prawit Chilnak (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Ahmed Abbood (IRQ) | 30 | Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Maksatmurad Alyýew (TKM) | 27 | Ahmed Abbood (IRQ) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) | 30 | Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Sayed Jamal Sadat (AFG) | 26 | ||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Abil Galiyev (KAZ) | KOB | ||||||||||||||
| Timur Mamatisakov (KGZ) | 30 | Timur Mamatisakov (KGZ) | |||||||||||||
| Võ Văn Đài (VIE) | 27 | Abil Galiyev (KAZ) | WO | ||||||||||||
 Chan Chi Lam (MAC) | Nurgeldi Ataýew (TKM) | ||||||||||||||
| Nurgeldi Ataýew (TKM) | RSC | Nurgeldi Ataýew (TKM) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Yousuf Jahangir (AFG) | 30 | Yousuf Jahangir (AFG) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Yang Pengbin (CHN) | 27 | Abil Galiyev (KAZ) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Karimjon Karimov (UZB) | 28 | Ruthaiphan Sapmanee (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Ryan Jakiri (PHI) | 29 | Ryan Jakiri (PHI) | |||||||||||||
| Ameer Ibrahim (IRQ) | 30 | Ameer Ibrahim (IRQ) | RSC | ||||||||||||
| Hangeldi Berdiýew (TKM) | 27 | Ameer Ibrahim (IRQ) | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Yang Yunpeng (CHN) | Ruthaiphan Sapmanee (THA) | 30 | |||||||||||||
| Jawad Ghaljaee (AFG) | RSC | Jawad Ghaljaee (AFG) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Masoud Abdolmaleki (IRI) | 28 | Ruthaiphan Sapmanee (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Ruthaiphan Sapmanee (THA) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Mustafa Saparmyradow (TKM) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Shan Yanbin (CHN) | |||||||||||||||
| Mustafa Saparmyradow (TKM) | KOB | ||||||||||||||
| Bekzhan Matysaev (KGZ) | |||||||||||||||
| Bekzhan Matysaev (KGZ) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
 Nawaraj Gurung (NEP) | Lei Ka Lon (MAC) | ||||||||||||||
| Lei Ka Lon (MAC) | WO | Mustafa Saparmyradow (TKM) | 30 | ||||||||||||
 Sunduin Batjargal (MGL) | Mana Samchaiyaphum (THA) | 27 | |||||||||||||
| Nikolay Samussev (KAZ) | WO | Nikolay Samussev (KAZ) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Mana Samchaiyaphum (THA) | 30 | Mana Samchaiyaphum (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Akram Hasan (IRQ) | 27 | Mana Samchaiyaphum (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Zhang Jinglei (CHN) | 30 | Reza Ahmadnejad (IRI) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Abdul Hakim Mobariz (AFG) | 27 | Zhang Jinglei (CHN) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Reza Ahmadnejad (IRI) | RSC | Reza Ahmadnejad (IRI) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Serdar Çaryýew (TKM) | |||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Muhammetberdi Rowşanow (TKM) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Guo Dongwang (CHN) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Guo Dongwang (CHN) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Namik Neftaliyev (KAZ) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Namik Neftaliyev (KAZ) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Saimuhammad Sharipov (TJK) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Guo Dongwang (CHN) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Anueng Khatthamarasri (THA) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Anwar Haitow (TKM) | |||||||||||||||
| Nguyễn Thanh Tùng (VIE) | RSCI | ||||||||||||||
| Nguyễn Thanh Tùng (VIE) | |||||||||||||||
| Kaveh Soleimani (IRI) | 29 | Anueng Khatthamarasri (THA) | RSC | ||||||||||||
 Nidal Mahmoud (MAS) | 28 | Kaveh Soleimani (IRI) | 27 | ||||||||||||
 Eddy Tuuhia (TAH) | 26 | Anueng Khatthamarasri (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Anueng Khatthamarasri (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Ýusup Bäşimow (TKM) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Abdallah Al-Jabbareen (JOR) | |||||||||||||||
| Ýusup Bäşimow (TKM) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Vadim Loparev (KAZ) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Vadim Loparev (KAZ) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Raja Benoît (TAH) | |||||||||||||||
| Vadim Loparev (KAZ) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Zhang Yongkang (CHN) | 27 | Keivan Soleimani (IRI) | 29 | ||||||||||||
| Hussain Hussaini (AFG) | 30 | Hussain Hussaini (AFG) | |||||||||||||
| Nguyễn Trung Kiên (VIE) | Mustafa Raad (IRQ) | RSC | |||||||||||||
| Mustafa Raad (IRQ) | RET | Mustafa Raad (IRQ) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Muhammetnur Meläýew (TKM) | 30 | Keivan Soleimani (IRI) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Alijon Isroilov (UZB) | 26 | Muhammetnur Meläýew (TKM) | 26 | ||||||||||||
| Wanchalerm Aramchai (THA) | 28 | Keivan Soleimani (IRI) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Keivan Soleimani (IRI) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Round of 16 17 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Namo Fazil (IRQ) | |||||||||||||||
| Emil Umayev (KAZ) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Emil Umayev (KAZ) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Ubbiniyaz Tureniyazov (UZB) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Kuwatmyrat Ilmyradow (TKM) | |||||||||||||||
| Ubbiniyaz Tureniyazov (UZB) | DSQ | ||||||||||||||
| Emil Umayev (KAZ) | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Majid Hashembeigi (IRI) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Majid Hashembeigi (IRI) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Siyovush Zabirov (TJK) | 29 | Siyovush Zabirov (TJK) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Mohammad Salama (JOR) | 27 | Majid Hashembeigi (IRI) | RSC | ||||||||||||
| Farid Bahar (AFG) | 28 | Döwletmyrat Güýjow (TKM) | |||||||||||||
| Luo Can (CHN) | 29 | Luo Can (CHN) | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Döwletmyrat Güýjow (TKM) | RSC | Döwletmyrat Güýjow (TKM) | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Du An (CHN) | |||||||||||||||
| Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | |||||||||
| Hayatullah Khairi (AFG) | RSC | ||||||||||
| Rasul Rasulow (TKM) | Hayatullah Khairi (AFG) | ||||||||||
| Aitotea Lenoir (TAH) | 27 | Mohammad Al-Barri (JOR) | WO | ||||||||
| Mohammad Al-Barri (JOR) | 30 | Mohammad Al-Barri (JOR) | |||||||||
| Ýalkapberdi Tejenow (TKM) | Shahez Fazil (IRQ) | RSC | |||||||||
| Davlat Boltaev (TJK) | RSC | Davlat Boltaev (TJK) | |||||||||
| Islomjon Marufov (UZB) | 27 | Shahez Fazil (IRQ) | RET | ||||||||
| Shahez Fazil (IRQ) | 30 | ||||||||||
| Round of 16 18 September | Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | ||||||||||||
| Carissa Tarapen (PHI) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Bùi Yến Ly (VIE) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Bùi Yến Ly (VIE) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Cheryl Gwa (SGP) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Merjen Saparowa (TKM) | |||||||||||||||
| Cheryl Gwa (SGP) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Bùi Yến Ly (VIE) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Fatemeh Yavari (IRI) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Selbi Jumaýewa (TKM) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Pan Ting-wei (TPE) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Selbi Jumaýewa (TKM) | |||||||||||||||
| Fatemeh Yavari (IRI) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Fatemeh Yavari (IRI) | RSC | ||||||||||||||
| Zahra Rezaye (AFG) | 30 | Zahra Rezaye (AFG) | |||||||||||||
| Frishta Zafari (AFG) | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | |||||||||
| Xu Yi (CHN) | 30 | ||||||||||
| Somayyeh Khazaei (IRI) | 27 | Xu Yi (CHN) | 27 | ||||||||
| Yadrung Tehiran (THA) | 30 | Yadrung Tehiran (THA) | 30 | ||||||||
| Aýimžan Sultanowa (TKM) | 27 | Yadrung Tehiran (THA) | 30 | ||||||||
| Hung Chiao-en (TPE) | Ýaňyl Kawisowa (TKM) | 27 | |||||||||
| Ýaňyl Kawisowa (TKM) | RSC | Ýaňyl Kawisowa (TKM) | RSC | ||||||||
| Zohra Rezaye (AFG) | 29 | Zohra Rezaye (AFG) | |||||||||
| Razia Hassani (AFG) | 28 | ||||||||||
| Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | |||||||||
| Jennet Aýnazarowa (TKM) | RSC | ||||||||||
| Maya Houdroge (LBN) | |||||||||||
| Jennet Aýnazarowa (TKM) | RSC | ||||||||||
| Sirisopa Sirisak (THA) | |||||||||||
| Sirisopa Sirisak (THA) | 30 | ||||||||||
| Zahra Rezaee (AFG) | 28 | Gülşat Gylyjowa (TKM) | 26 | ||||||||
| Gülşat Gylyjowa (TKM) | 29 | ||||||||||
| Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | |||||||||
| Enejan Welmyradowa (TKM) | |||||||||||
| Geli Bulaong (PHI) | Saeideh Ghaffari (IRI) | RSC | |||||||||
| Saeideh Ghaffari (IRI) | RSC | Saeideh Ghaffari (IRI) | 27 | ||||||||
| Nabat Batyrowa (TKM) | Ratchadaphon Wihantamma (THA) | 30 | |||||||||
| Chen Linling (CHN) | KOB | Chen Linling (CHN) | 27 | ||||||||
| Ratchadaphon Wihantamma (THA) | RSC | Ratchadaphon Wihantamma (THA) | 30 | ||||||||
| Kinda Fattal (LBN) | |||||||||||
| Quarterfinals 19 September | Semifinals 20 September | Final 21 September | |||||||||
| Janejira Wankrue (THA) | RSC | ||||||||||
| Ogulnur Hudaýbergenowa (TKM) | 27 | Rola Khaled (LBN) | |||||||||
| Rola Khaled (LBN) | 29 | Janejira Wankrue (THA) | RSC | ||||||||
| Zahra Bourbour (IRI) | 30 | Trương Thị Hồng Nga (VIE) | |||||||||
| Aýgül Atadurdyýewa (TKM) | 27 | Zahra Bourbour (IRI) | 27 | ||||||||
| Anna Yon Yue Chong (TAH) | 28 | Trương Thị Hồng Nga (VIE) | 30 | ||||||||
| Trương Thị Hồng Nga (VIE) | 29 | ||||||||||
The history of Turkmenistan traditionally began with the arrival of Indo-European Iranian tribes around 2000 BC. Early tribes were nomadic or semi-nomadic due to the arid conditions of the region, preventing widespread adoption of agriculture. The steppe culture in Central Asia was an extension of a larger Eurasian series of horse cultures which spanned the entire spectrum of language families, including the Indo-Europeans and Turko-Mongol groups. Some of the known early Iranian tribes included the Massagatae, the Scythians/Sakas, and early Soghdians, who were most likely precursors of the Khwarezmians. Turkmenistan was a passing point for numerous migrations and invasions by tribes, which gravitated towards the settled regions of the south, including ancient Mesopotamia, Elam, and the Indus Valley civilization.
The politics of Turkmenistan nominally takes place in the framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Turkmenistan is nominally both head of state and head of government. However, as of 21 January 2023 a "national leader" was appointed who chairs an independent People's Council (viz.) with authority to amend the constitution, and who exercises supreme political authority. No true opposition parties are allowed; every registered political party supports the third and current President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. The country is frequently described as a totalitarian state.
The economy of Turkmenistan continues to recover from the 2014 downturn in hydrocarbon prices, but remains "in the grip of its worst economic crisis since the immediate post-independence period, driven in part by low gas prices, the suspension of gas exports to Russia between 2016 and 2019...and poor harvests." Former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow at a session of the Cabinet of Ministers on 11 March 2021, called the rate of GDP growth unsatisfactory. When discussing the 2021 government budget, he noted that 2021 would be "as difficult" a year as 2020 had been. According to the 2020 Investment Climate Statement of the US Department of State, Turkmenistan's economy depends heavily on the production and export of natural gas, oil, petrochemicals and, to a lesser degree, cotton, wheat, and textiles. The economy is still recovering from a deep recession that followed the late 2014 collapse in global energy prices. The current investment climate is considered high risk for US foreign direct investment.
Turkmenistan's declaration of "permanent neutrality" was formally recognized by the United Nations in 1995. Former President Niyazov stated that the neutrality would prevent Turkmenistan from participating in multi-national defense organizations, but allows military assistance. Its neutral foreign policy has an important place in the country's constitution. Although the Government of Turkmenistan claims to favour trade with and export to the United States, and Turkey, its single largest commercial partner is China, which buys the vast bulk of Turkmen natural gas via the Central Asia–China gas pipeline. Turkmenistan has significant commercial relationships with Russia and Iran and growing cross-border trade with Afghanistan. The Government of Turkmenistan often appears to use the conflicting interests of these regional powers as a means to extract concessions, especially on energy issues.
Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. It lies between the Karakum Desert and the Kopetdag mountain range in Central Asia, approximately 50 km away from the Iran-Turkmenistan border. The city has a population of 1,030,063.
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest and the Caspian Sea to the west. Ashgabat is the capital and largest city. It is one of the six independent Turkic states. With a population over 7 million, Turkmenistan is the 35th most-populous country in Asia and has the lowest population of the Central Asian republics while being one of the most sparsely populated nations on the Asian continent.
The national flag of Turkmenistan features a white crescent and five stars representing the five regions of the country and the Five Pillars of Islam. Placed upon a green field is a symbolic representation of the country's famous carpet industry. It was introduced as the flag of Turkmenistan on 27 September 1992 to replace the Soviet-era flag which consisted of a red background with two light blue bars in the middle. The modified version with a 2:3 ratio was adopted on 23 January 2001. State Flag and Constitution Day is celebrated on 18 May.
Turkmenistan's human rights record has been heavily criticized by various countries and scholars worldwide. Standards in education and health declined markedly during the rule of President Saparmurat Niyazov.
The Turkmenistan national football team represents Turkmenistan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, the governing body for football in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan's home ground is the Kopetdag Stadium and their head coach is Mergen Orazow. The team represents FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The president of Turkmenistan, officially the president and chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, is the head of state and head of government of Turkmenistan. The president is also the supreme commander in chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan and heads the State Security Council.
Ashgabat International Airport, formerly known as Saparmyrat Türkmenbaşy International Airport, is one of five international airports in Turkmenistan. It is located within the city limits of Ashgabat (Ashkhabad). The old airport, with its air traffic control tower and a 3,700-metre-long (12,000 ft) precision approach runway (12L-30R), opened in 1994 and was named after the country's first president, Saparmyrat Niyazov. The new airport terminal opened in September 2016, after being completely redesigned and rebuilt and after the south runway was moved and lengthened to parallel the north runway.
Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow is a Turkmen politician and former dentist who is currently the chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan. He previously served as the 2nd president of Turkmenistan from 2006 to 2022, when he entered into a power-sharing arrangement with his son, Serdar, the current president.
Iran and Turkmenistan share a common border of more than 1000 km. Since Turkmenistan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the two countries have enjoyed good relations and have cooperated in economic, transportation, infrastructure development, and energy sectors. The two nations have strong historic ties.
Torghundi, also spelled Turghundi or Towrgondi, is a border town in northern Herat Province of Afghanistan. The town's main attraction is the Torghundi custom house and border checkpoint, which officially connects Afghanistan by road with Turkmenistan. Torghundi is the second checkpoint and border crossing between the two countries, with Aqina to the northeast being the other. Torghundi is connected by both a regular road and a 1520 mm gauge railroad with the neighboring town of Serhetabat in Turkmenistan. The city of Herat in Afghanistan is located about 100 km (62 mi) of driving distance south from Torghundi.
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov, known as Türkmenbaşy, was a Turkmen politician who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt. He continued to rule Turkmenistan as president for 15 years after independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which is also counted as the 5th Asian Indoor Games, was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in 2017. It became the third city in the former Soviet countries to win the right of hosting an Olympic Council of Asia-sanctioned event, following Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, which jointly-hosted the 2011 Asian Winter Games. The host city was chosen in Kuwait on 19 December 2010. On 6 July 2013 the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia was officially handed over to the mayor of the city of Ashgabat.
The Turkmenistan national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Turkmenistan. The team is controlled by the Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Federation and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Turkmenistan is currently ranked 49th in the IIHF World Ranking and made its debut in the 2018 World Championship Division III Qualification tournament.
Corruption in Turkmenistan is a widespread issue, with Turkmenistan being ranked as 11th most corrupt country by the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Serdar Gurbangulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow is a Turkmen politician serving as the third and current president of Turkmenistan since 19 March 2022. Berdimuhamedow had previously served in several other positions within the government of his father, Gurbanguly, the long-standing authoritarian ruler of Turkmenistan. The father and son entered into a power-sharing arrangement in 2022 whereby they jointly rule a totalitarian system of government in Turkmenistan.
