Tajikistan has started the preparations for the First Asian Gushtingiri Championships. Dushanbe will host the competitions. According to the organisers, athletes from 28 countries will take part in the Championships, MIR 24 reports.
Tajik gushtingiri wrestlers are preparing with great enthusiasm for the tournament. One of the wrestlers, Bahtovar Bobokhonov expressed belief that his team would represent the country in a worthy manner and demonstrate the beauty of Tajik wrestling to the world.
The Federation of Gushtingiri obtained an international status a few months ago, and the Asian Championships will be the first official international competition. Head Coach of the Tajikistan gushtingiri national team Khurshed Ibaydulloev expressed belief that the tournament would be held at the highest level.
Gushtingiri is one of the favourite sports in Tajikistan. Almost every family had grandfathers and great-grandfathers who fought for the champion title (pakhlavon). This sport has a 2,000-year-old history: many centuries ago the skill of hand-to-hand combat was important for warriors, and now it is a sport.
