These days, Astana and
the world of ethnic sports are the focus of attention of nomadic peoples’
heritage admirers worldwide. The most anticipated, spectacular, intellectual
competitions take place on the capital’s sports grounds. One of them is assyk
atu. The first round of this sport at the World Nomad Games already brought
Kazakhstan victory. The team beat Mongolia with a score of 2-0. In total, 39
athletes from 12 countries are competing for the title of the best in assyk atu
competitions, including teams from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Spain, Georgia, and
Hungary. In Hungary, assyk atu is becoming more and more popular. According to Attila
Vass, one of the Hungarian team members, the game helps develop skills such as
agility, precision, and concentration.
«This game was known in Hungary in very old
times but we forgot about it. Only old people play it. Now we have a coach in
Hungary from Kazakhstan, a lady called Zhanargul. She started to teach us this
game this year to make it again very popular amongst children. So, we made a
team very fast, and we started to train in Hungary, in the parks. We lost to Uzbekistan. And we beat Spain with
3:0. So, now we have another game with Georgia on live, and we hope that we can
win,» he said.
Other athletes also
came to Astana hoping for victory, including participants from 33 countries who
arrived for mas-wrestling competitions, also known as Kazakh tayaq tartu. In
this sport, opponents sit facing each other, feet braced on a board placed on
the edge, and attempt to pull a stick to their side or wrest it from their
rival’s hands. The fight lasts until two victories of one of the wrestlers.
Both men and women take part in the competition, and Kazakhstan has already
secured some medals. Olga Dushayeva and Takhmina Kozhamberdiyeva won bronze in
the women’s competitions.
«I became interested in this sport last year and
have been practicing for about six months. It is a spectacular and thrilling sport.
My opponents are very strong. The first place went to a girl from the Kyrgyz
Republic. She was very well-prepared. I sincerely congratulate her,» Kozhamberdiyeva
shared.
Editor: Гайни Жумабек
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