On December 16, 2024, in the presence of officials of the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the International Kurash Association, the Kurash Federation of Uzbekistan, a press conference was held on the final stage of the international World Series Pro – WSP tournament for the prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The press conference was covered by a large number of media and television representatives.
Deputy Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of Uzbekistan Shakhrullo Mahmudov opened the press conference with a welcoming speech. In his speech, the Deputy Minister also briefed the audience about the upcoming international Kurash World Series Pro tournament.
Then the floor was given to the Secretary General of the International Kurash Association, Mohammad Reza Nassiri. The Secretary General gave detailed information on the upcoming tournament and highlighted some important changes and improvements made to this year’s tournament, including a new ranking system and an increased prize money. Mr. Nassiri noted that this tournament cannot be equated with the level of the national championship. Explaining this by the fact that the new ranking system makes it possible for all Kurash fans to witness the performances of the best athletes from all over the world. Who, thanks to their hard work and their skills, managed to score a sufficient number of points to participate among the best.
After the press conference program, it’s time for questions and answers for media representatives. One of the important questions was the question of the main innovations that were introduced into the WSP tournament this calendar year. Sardor Karimov, Assistant Chairman of the Kurash Federation of Uzbekistan, answered this question, noting that in order to increase interest in the tournament and attract more participants, the number of weight categories was increased in the regulations (from 7 to 10 – 6 weight categories for male and 4 weight categories for female). In addition, recalling that the total prize fund has also been increased to $ 170,000, and the amount of prizes for each place has increased accordingly.
Another question related to the activities and results of the IKA in 2024, as well as plans for 2025, including the holding of Kurash competitions within the framework of the Asian Youth Games. The Deputy Minister of Sports, answering this question, noted that the games have been moved to Bahrain. But he assured the representatives that the Uzbek national team will be ready to represent their country at the highest level in more than 30 sports, which will also include representatives of the Kurash .
The Secretary General of the IKA added, thanking the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the support provided, he also thanked the Ministry of Sports represented by Minister Adham Ikramov, who is the First Vice President of the IKA, for his support. Also, Mr. Nassiri spoke about a large number of plans, competitions and events for 2025 to popularize Kurash in the world. Mr. Nassiri noted his desire to present and organize Kurash competitions at the upcoming Asian Youth Games at the highest level. Mr. Nassiri also informed the conference participants that IKA has its own official website and a large number of official news pages on social networks, where everyone can find all the latest news and be aware of IKA’s activities in the international sports arena, as well as learn about the very history of our wonderful sport.
In the final part, the first Deputy Chairman of the Kurash Federation of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Kadirov, thanked the International Kurash Association and the Ministry of Sports of Uzbekistan for their excellent cooperative work in improving the format of the tournament and its rapid organization.
After the end of the press conference, the participants moved on to a coffee break, after which an official draw ceremony was organized.
