From June 21 to July 2, the III European Games were held in Krakow and Malopolska, Poland. Athletes from 48 European countries competed for the championship in 29 sports at the continental Olympics. 12 countries participated in Kurash.
One of the important aspects of the European Games was the presentation of the Kurash Sport on June 30 within the demonstration of the Games.
The demonstration event, organized in cooperation with the International Kurash Association (IKA), the European Kurash Confederation(EKC) and the Uzbekistan Kurash Federation (UKF), as well as the Uzbek Embassy in Poland. The competition took place as the European Open Kurash Championship. In the competition, women and men competed in an open weight category .The total prize fund for the winners was 7,000 euros.
Before the presentation, a technical seminar and a press conference were held for athletes from different European countries and their coaches. Those present at the seminar were introduced to the rules of Kurash, after that, the competitors started the day at the festively decorated large sports complex.
European women and men athletes competed in the heavyweight division. According to the results of the competition, which took place under fierce and uncompromising battles, the absolute victory among women went to the representative of the hosts, Sandra Lickum. Lithuania’s Ranalda Zubavisiene took the second place. Two 3rd places were won by Victoria Bolohan from Belgium and Alexandra Lorena from Romania.
Latvian athlete Viktors Resko won the gold medal in the men’s competition. Serbian representative Aleksandar Kalabic, who lost to him in the final match, was satisfied with the silver medal. Boban Danov from Macedonia and Wojcechkazimierz Kordya from Poland finished in the top three and won the bronze medal.
The winners of the competition were awarded by the organizers with a large amount of cash prizes and honorary certificates.
A truly festive atmosphere reigned on competition. Samples of Uzbek handicrafts were displayed in one corner, while the table was set with national delicious Palov in another place for the participants and spectators. Show and songs performed by famous Uzbek pop singers Alisher Ruzmetov and Rohila Ruzimova cheered up the audience.
The prestigious Kurash festival was broadcast live on various TV and radio channels, and social networks.
In a word, Uzbek Kurash showed its worthiness to take part in the European Games through its exhibition performances within the framework of the 3rd European Games.
