From July 21 to July 23, 2025, the Kurash festival was held in the capital of France, Paris.
The traditional International Kurash Tournament for the prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan gathered the best Kurash athletes from different continents of the world.
This competition was organized not only for sporting purposes, but also to strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between peoples, to widely popularize the ancient sport of Kurash at the International level, and to convey to the general public its philosophical and cultural values.
At the official opening ceremony of the tournament, the athletes were invited to the Gilam under the flags of the participating countries.
The ceremony was attended by the Vice-President of the International Kurash Association, President of the European Kurash Confederation Merampi Iliadis, General Secretary of the International Kurash Association Mohammad Reza Nassiri, Head of the IKA Administration Mansur Mirzaev, President of the French Kurash Federation Frederic Le Calvez, First Deputy Chairman of the Kurash Federation of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Kadirov, Assistant Chairman Sardor Karimov, as well as heads of International and national sports organizations, representatives of the diplomatic corps and fans.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to France Nodir Ganiev opened the ceremony with a congratulatory speech.
In his speech, the Ambassador noted that the competition has become a vivid example of friendly relations, cultural exchange and sports diplomacy between the two nations.
After that, the national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was played.
The second speaker at the opening ceromony was tge General Secretary of the International Kurash Association Mohammad Reza Nassiri where he thanked all for the attandence anf praised the International Kurash competitions for the prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a posotive move forward for the development of Kurash the floor was then given to President of the European Kurash Confederation Merampi Iliadis, who noted that Kurash is becoming increasingly popular as a sport that promotes universal values – respect, nobility and justice. Holding the tournament in Paris was recognized as evidence that Kurash is increasingly taking a firm place on the world sports scene.
After the official part was over, a festive program with the participation of Uzbek variety music stars added a festive mood to the guests of the tournament.
Traditionally, this year’s competitions were held in the center of Paris, opposite the Eiffel Tower, in the Émile Anthoine Stadium. The flag of our favorite sport – Kurash – was raised high in the city that hosted the Olympic Games.
According to the Regulation of the competition, two male athletes and two female athletes from IKA member federations were allowed to participate in the following weight categories: Men: -90 kg and +90 kg; Women: -70 kg and +70 kg. France, as the host country of the competition, presented four Kurash athletes in each weight category.
In total, about 100 strongest Kurash athletes from 25 countries tried to achieve victory.
The competition was organized in accordance with the official rules of the International Kurash Association (IKA).
The culmination of the tournament, of course, was the final matches and the awarding ceremony.
On the Gilam, the Kurash athletes demonstrated not only physical power but also intelligence, willpower and patriotism.
Experienced Kurash arhlete, world champion, winner of many International tournaments Sherali Dzhuraev in the semifinals in the weight category +90 kg in a fair fight in the last seconds defeated the Dutchman Ansah Ferdinand and went to the final. In the final, the representative of the hosts, experienced Kurash athlete Сaillan Benjamin, also won a clean victory. As a result, he became the absolute winner of the tournament.
In the weight category -90 kg, another representative of the Motherland of Kurash, Alikhon Nodirov, won, defeating all his opponents.
The women’s competition was extremely competitive.
In the +70 kg weight category, Nun Chloe Jessica from Great Britain was recognized as unequal, and in the -70 kg category, defeated Nayome from the Netherlands won the gold medal.
The winners were awarded diplomas, cash prizes, and valuable ranking points for the WSP International Tournament.
It is no exaggeration to say that the competition, held for the fourth time in the cultural capital of the world, Paris, was a vivid expression of the achievements and prospects of Kurash in the International arena. Holding the tournament in France also demonstrated new directions in the sports policy of Europe: Eastern traditions and values occupy a worthy place in the world sports space.
The traditional tournament for the prize of the President became not only a source of medals and Prize Money , but also a solid foundation for the dialog of cultures and friendship.
The full list of winners and medalists can be found below.
-70 kg
Overkamp Naomi – Netherlands
Hrebenozhko Yulia – Ukraine
Kadirberganova Mukhlisakhon – Uzbekistan
Makharashvili Mari – Georgia
+70 kg
Nunn Chloe Jessica – Great Britain
Kebadze Elena – Georgia
Batt Danielle Elizabeth – Great Britain
Mbairo Anne Fatoumata – France
-90 kg
Nodirov Alikhon – Uzbekistan
Mohammad Kakar Ismail – Afghanistan
Ikramov Siratullo – Tajikistan
Matijass Martin – Germany
+90 kg
Sherali Jurayev – Uzbekistan
Caillon Cedric Benjamin – France
Chagelishvili Zurab – Georgia
Ansah Ferdinand Johan – Netherlands
