By Nazerke Sultanbek
A number of sport competitions have been held across Kazakhstan in honor of the 25th anniversary of Independence of the country. One of such events was Kazakh Kures, the Kazakh national wrestling, which is a part of the United World Wrestling's associated styles. One of the reasons why this traditional practice has been rapidly developed across the country as well as the world, perhaps, is the included show elements during the tournament that attracted people's attention all over the world.
The most popular Kazakh Kures tournaments such as Kazakhstan Barysy, Alem Barysy and Eurasia Barysy regularly take place in the country. In the annual Kazakhstan Barysy tournament the best wrestlers are awarded $150,000 US dollars, an enormous gold medal and widespread popularity throughout the country. Alem Barysy, being held once in the couple of years, the world's strongest athlete may receive 100k US dollars and a golden belt.
Eurasia Barysy took place in the end of 2016 and was dedicated to Kazakhstan's 25th independence anniversary. A new sport hall, called 'Almaty Arena' in Almaty city, hosted this IV international tournament that attracted more than 12,000 fans who saw great battles of their wrestlers, known as 'baluans', lasting for 8 hours with no breaks. The competition was also broadcast for millions in Kazakhstan as well as in Russia, Turkey and other countries.
This year's tournament was special for its participants' variety from Mongolia, Georgia, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Poland, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. These eight teams were divided into two large groups by the 'wall-to-wall' group competition rules. In the quarterfinals of the first group Georgia and Kazakhstan beat Uzbekistan and Poland, consequently, by 6:2 and 8:0. The winners then competed in the semifinal and the hosting team became the first finalist by 6:2. In the second group, the Tajikistan and Russia baluans were defeated by Mongolia and Ukraine at the quarterfinal, accordingly, with 3:5 and 1:7. After, the Mongols, the 2014 champions, managed to overcome the Ukraine wrestlers by 6:2 to reach the final stage.
The match between two unsuccessful teams of the semifinal stages, Georgia and Ukraine, led to the bronze medal holder of the competition. As a result, the former once again this year obtained their third bronze in sum at Eurasia Barysy. In the final, the Kazakh baluans pleased its supporters by a clear victory over their old rivals in Kazakh Kures – Mongols by 6:2 and, therefore, received 10 million tenge and gold souvenirs.
The next day after the tournament, Kazakh kures had some exciting news as this national sport type was given a status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. On top of this, Kazakh Kures, for the first time, was chosen as part of the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games.
Technical results for the IV International Eurasia Barysy:
Group A
Georgia df. Uzbekistan 6:2
Kazakhstan df. Poland 8:0
Group B
Mongolia df. Tajikistan 5:3
Ukraine df. Russia 7:1
Semifinal
Kazakhstan df. Georgia 6:2
Mongolia df. Ukraine 6:2
Match for 3th place
Georgia df. Ukraine 6:2
Final
Kazakhstan df. Mongolia 6:2
