Kurash is my destiny!
The last 30 years of my life have been connected with Kurash. I was born and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia, and have been practising martial arts since childhood. I am a professional athlete in judo, sambo, freestyle wrestling, and Greco-Roman wrestling.
My journey with Kurash began during my military service in Krasnodar. There, among soldiers from Uzbekistan, I first encountered the sport. Intrigued, I approached them and soon found myself practising Kurash in our free time, a hobby that would later become a lifelong passion.
After Uzbekistan gained independence, the country’s government paid great attention to the development of Kurash. I began to study this sport carefully. Since 2001, my life has been officially connected with Kurash. In 2001, the Kurash Federation was founded in Greece. We began cooperation with the International Kurash Association and the European Kurash Confederation. Since then, we have participated in almost all competitions held by the IKA and the European Kurash Confederation. After some time, I was elected president of the European Kurash Confederation. Since then, I have been working to develop Kurash in Greece and popularise it throughout Europe.
Our mission today is to spread Kurash worldwide and turn our favourite sport into Olympia sports. We work together to achieve this goal.
Congratulations to all Kurash athletes, coaches, referees, and all our friends who were related to Kurash on the 26th anniversary of the International Kurash Association and World Kurash Day on September 6th.
As we celebrate the 26th anniversary of the International Kurash Association and World Kurash Day, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Kurash athletes, coaches, referees, and supporters. May you continue to find health, happiness, joy, and success in your endeavours.
Regardless of who and where celebrates this holiday, we are one family, one community!
Merampi Iliadis
President of the European Kurash Confederation
