The International Open Kurash Tournament for the Prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was successfully held at the Centre Sportif Émile Anthoine in Paris, France.
The prestigious competition, held from 17 to 19 July, brought together nearly 100 of the world’s strongest Kurash athletes from 28 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia, all competing for the championship title. Once again, Paris reaffirmed its status as one of the major international stages for Kurash.
The Opening Ceremony was attended by Nodir Ganiev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to France, and Merampi Iliadis, President of the European Kurash Confederation. In their remarks, they emphasized that the tournament continues to expand both its prestige and geographical reach each year, establishing itself as one of the most important events on the international Kurash calendar.
The speakers also highlighted that, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Honorary President of the International Kurash Association, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, significant attention and comprehensive support have been devoted to the development of sport, particularly Uzbekistan’s national sport—Kurash. Thanks to these efforts and the opportunities created, Kurash is steadily strengthening its position within the global sporting community.
The tournament was not only a showcase of high-level sporting competition but also a vibrant celebration of Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. Members of the Uzbek diaspora living in France presented traditional handicrafts, national cuisine, and folk arts. In addition, concerts featuring Uzbek performers created a truly authentic Uzbek atmosphere for thousands of spectators and residents of Paris.
In recent years, the Kurash Federation of Uzbekistan (KFU), the International Kurash Association (IKA), the European Kurash Confederation, and the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan have established a successful tradition of organizing International Tournaments for the Prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan across Europe.
The project was first launched in 2022, when tournaments were hosted in Frankfurt (Germany), Ruse (Bulgaria), Istanbul (Türkiye), and Paris (France). In 2023, Paris once again successfully hosted the event. In 2024, due to the Summer Olympic Games being held in France, the tournament was relocated to Rome, Italy. In the following years, it returned to Paris, where both the number of participants and the tournament’s prestige have continued to grow year after year.
Today, this tournament plays a significant role in promoting Kurash throughout Europe, attracting new countries to the sport, and strengthening Kurash’s position as one of Uzbekistan’s most recognizable national brands on the international stage.
Tournament Winners and Medalists
Women (-70 kg)
1. Rachael Hawkes (Great Britain)
2. Isabelle Schuhlein (Germany)
3. Nolwenn Hebert (France)
3. Christina Stamouli (Greece)
Women (+70 kg)
1. Anne M’Bairo (France)
2. Chloe Jessica Nun (Great Britain)
3. Aylin Mill (Germany)
3. Kubranur Esir (Türkiye)
Men (-90 kg)
1. Samandarbek Sadinov (Uzbekistan)
2. Melih Topcu (Türkiye)
3. Jonibek Qozoqov (Uzbekistan)
3. Alexandre Fereol (France)
Men (+90 kg)
1. Sherali Joʻrayev (Uzbekistan)
2. Panagiotis Papanikolaou (Greece)
3. Bekmurod Oltiboyev (Uzbekistan)
3. Cedric Benjamin Caillon (France)
