Turkmenistan's authorities handed the keys to Japanese Toyota Fortuner SUVs to the five local "golden" winners of the Kurash World Championship held in Ashgabat from 23 to 28 November, local TV channel Altyn Asyr reports. Toyota Camry cars were presented to the honoured coaches.
The President of Turkmenistan signed a special decree on the awarding of state honours "for personal contribution to multiplying the international reputation of Turkmen sports" in the days before the New Year.
The history of this national form of belt wrestling, popular among Turkic peoples, is about three thousand years old. Kurash is mentioned in the folk epics "Gerogly" and "Gorkut Ata". Men used to demonstrate their wrestling skills at weddings, festivals and fairs.
In 2003, kurash was officially included in all continental games held in Asia. It is currently being considered for inclusion in the programme of the European Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games and the Olympic Games.
Eziz Boyarov
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