BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. Baku will host the
XII World Qazaq Kuresi Championship among adults, which will be
held on August 22-23, 2026, bringing together athletes from
different countries at one of the largest international platforms
for Kazakhstan’s national wrestling style.
According to the press service of the Qazaq Kuresi Association,
the competition will take place at the Baku Sports Hall. Athletes
will compete for medals in 16 weight categories — eight for men and
eight for women.
Kazakhstan’s national team will participate in the championship
with a full squad and will be represented in all weight categories.
In the men’s competition, athletes will compete in the 55, 60, 66,
74, 82, 90, 100 and over 100 kg categories. In the women’s
competition, winners will be determined in the 48, 52, 56, 60, 65,
70, 77 and over 77 kg categories.
On the first day of the tournament, August 22, competitions will
be held in the men’s 55, 60, 66 and 74 kg categories, as well as
the women’s 48, 52, 56 and 60 kg categories. On August 23, winners
and medalists will be determined in the remaining eight weight
categories.
The Kazakhstan team includes athletes with experience in
international competitions. Among them are 2024 World Cup winner
Ruzimon Tugushev, 2023 Asian champion and 2025 CISM World Champion
Yernur Suleimen, and 2024 World Cup bronze medalist Kemelbek
Moldash.
One of the team leaders will be Zhumazhan Kozhambekov, a
two-time world champion (2022, 2025), winner of the 2023 World
Martial Arts Games, champion of the 2024 5th World Nomad Games,
CISM World Champion and 2025 World Cup winner.
The team will also include 2025 Asian champion Yerkanat
Moldagulov and Nurdaulet Zharylgapov, who is the 2022 world
champion, 2023 Asian champion and winner of the 2024 5th World
Nomad Games.
The women’s national team will be represented by Kazakh
champions Zhanat Kazez, Tamila Alikhanova, Ardak Nursak, Sezim
Oteuli, Sevara Nyshambayeva, Nazerke Tileukhanova and Araylym
Abenova. Kazakhstan championship silver medalist Ramila Salimyanova
will also compete.
“The World Championship in Baku will become another important
stage in expanding the international reach of Qazaq Kuresi. In
recent years, the international competition system for this
national sport has been developing consistently, bringing together
athletes from Asia, Europe, Africa and other regions of the world.
The World Championship is one of the key tournaments in this
direction,” the Qazaq Kuresi Association said.
Over the history of international competitions, 11 world
championships, 13 Asian championships, six World Cups, six European
championships and two African championships have been held. Qazaq
Kuresi tournaments have taken place in Kazakhstan, Iran, Brazil,
Azerbaijan and other countries.
The opening ceremony of the XII World Qazaq Kuresi Championship
will take place on August 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Baku Sports
Hall.
