Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Kyrgyzstan is coming off a successful run at the Olympic Games with a total of 16 athletes representing the country in the 2024 Games across six sports. You may be surprised to hear what sports are popular in Kyrgyzstan and its significance and impact, so continue reading as I share what the most popular sports in Kyrgyzstan are.
Wrestling
Wrestling is extremely popular in Kyrgyzstan and out of the six medals obtained during the 2024 Summer Olympics, a whopping five were in wrestling. Wrestling, particularly traditional forms like Kuresh has been a part of Kyrgyz culture for centuries. It is often featured in festivals and national celebrations, symbolizing strength, honor and skill.
Kyrgyzstan has produced notable wrestlers who have completed freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the international level. Such as Meerim Zhumanazarova, who claimed a Silver in the women's freestyle wrestling 68kg category. She also became the first-ever athlete from Kyrgyzstan to win two Olympic medals in any sport after winning the bronze medal in Tokyo in 2020.
Horseback Sports
The Kyrgyz people have a long history as nomads, and horses have become an essential part of their way of life for centuries. Horses are not just a means of transportation, but also symbols of status and crucial to survival in the mountainous terrain. Due to this, there are significant horseback sports that are a major cultural event in Kyrgyzstan.
One of them is Kok-Boru (Buzkashi). Riders compete to grab a goat carcass and place it in the opposing team's goal. There is a community for this sport, with their being semi-professional and amateur teams. It is listed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Another horseback sport is Er Enish, it is a traditional Kyrgyz sport that involves horseback wrestling. It is a challenging sport where two riders, each on horseback, grapple with one another in an attempt to unseat their opponent from their horse. The sport is truly a test of strength, skill, and horsemanship. It's even a sport under the World Nomad Games.
Boxing
Boxing has seen a surge in popularity in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in urban areas like Bishkek and Osh. Kyrgyzstan has produced several successful boxes that have competed at the Olympics, World Champions, and other international competitions. There are numerous boxing gyms and training programs across the country, some of which are government-supported. Most recently, the Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Culture of Kyrgyzstan announced at a press conference after honoring the national team and the winners of the 2024 Olympic Games that a new boxing facility will be built. These facilities help nurture young talent and provide a pathway for athletes to compete both locally and internationally.
Judo
Judo is a popular sport in Kyrgyzstan, especially among the youth. The country has produced several successful judokas who have competed in international competitions, including the Olympics and Asian Games. The sport is supported by various judo clubs and training centers, particularly in the capital, Bishkek, and other major cities like Osh and Jalal-Abad.
Soccer
Soccer is particularly popular in Kyrgyzstan and having lived there for one and a half years, I noticed that there are many soccer fields for people to play in around parks, schools, and apartment buildings. In urban areas like Bishkek and Osh, there are local leagues and community matches being a common weekend activity.
Kyrgyzstan has a national team and participates in tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup and the World Cup qualifiers. There is also a Kyrgyz Premier League and clubs like FC Dordoi, FC Alga Bishkek are well-known. You can even watch games at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium.
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