Kurash, a traditional form of upright jacket wrestling indigenous to Uzbekistan, has been practiced since ancient times. In this sport, competitors don green and blue jackets, striving to throw each other to the ground. Victory is declared if one is thrown onto their back, while points are awarded for throws to the side or other positions.
The sport’s historical ties to combat training are evident in its rules, which mandate attire resembling armor and prohibit certain grips and ground fighting techniques to simulate vulnerability to weapons. Emphasizing standing fighting, Kurash cultivates strong balance and quick footwork, essential skills in combat scenarios where grappling was essential to create space for effective weapon strikes.
Origins and Significance of Kurash
Kurash stands as one of the oldest forms of folk wrestling known to humanity. Research suggests that this sport originated in the region that is now Uzbekistan over 3500 years ago.
In Uzbek, “Kurash” translates to “achieving a goal in an honest way.” Historically, this combat technique was utilized during times of conflict to safeguard communities. Men showcased their proficiency in Kurash during weddings, festivals, and both local and national festivities, as evidenced by numerous ancient literary and historical records.
History of Kurash Championships in Kazan
The inaugural All-USSR Kurash championship debuted in Kazan in 1928, followed by the first TASSR (Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic) national championship in 1949. Commencing in 1956, regular Tatar Köräş competitions have been held in homage to the esteemed national hero and poet Musa Cälil.
During the transition from the 1950s to the 1960s, the Soviet Federation of freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and Sambo began fostering the development of Tatar Köräş. Athletes from neighboring regions, such as Bashkortostan, Mordovia, and Ulyanovsk City, made their inaugural appearance in Kazan in 1959.
In 1960, the capital of Tatarstan was designated as the host for the first RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) national Kurash championship- since then; this event has been an annual occurrence, with Kazan serving as its venue approximately 15 times, alongside other cities. Over the years, athletes from 36 Russian regions have participated in the Russian championships.
Transition to Modern Sport
In Central Asia, the techniques, traditions, rules, and philosophies of Kurash wrestling were passed down orally from one generation to the next, from fathers to children. The first concerted effort to compile and codify this knowledge occurred in 1990.
This was the first time Kurash was recognized as an independent sport governed by specific rules and regulations. Many local athletes, who had been trained in Kurash during their youth, later transitioned to other sports disciplines, eventually achieving championship titles and world recognition.
The Role of Komil Yusupov
One such individual was Komil Yusupov, the pioneer of modern Kurash. Yusupov, an Uzbek athlete, was an international master of sport in Sambo and Judo and a former USSR Olympic judo team member.
In 1980, following the passing of his mother and facing health issues, Yusupov was compelled to withdraw from the Moscow Olympics, where he was a frontrunner.
This setback only fueled Yusupov’s determination to elevate national Kurash wrestling to an international sports discipline with aspirations of inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Standardization and International Recognition
Yusupov embarked on the task of developing a standardized set of rules for Kurash wrestling. Drawing inspiration from various Olympic sports disciplines, he harmonized the age-old traditions of Kurash with contemporary sporting requirements.
He introduced weight categories, defined Kurash moves, proposed terminology based on 14 Uzbek words, and established the duration of matches. Additionally, he designed uniforms for athletes and judges, along with other essential attributes integral to modern sports.
The main objective of Kurash is to throw the opponent to the ground, earning points through various techniques. Competitors grip onto their opponent’s jacket while avoiding the legs, much like modern-day Judo.
Points are categorized into three levels: Halal, Yonbosh, and Chala. A Halal point, achieved by throwing the opponent onto their back with full control and force, ends the match. A Yonbosh is awarded for a slight deviation, while Chala is the lowest form of scoring but cannot accumulate to a Yonbosh.
With the personal backing of the president of Uzbekistan, the inaugural international Kurash competition for the President of Uzbekistan’s Prize was held in 1992. Dedicated to the memory of the medieval commander Amir Temur, this event began a series of over 300 international competitions held worldwide and ongoing continental Kurash championships across Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Pan America.
Global Expansion and Recognition
Thanks to Yusupov’s initiative, an International Congress convened on September 6, 1998, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with teams from 28 countries in attendance. The Congress unanimously supported Yusupov’s endeavor to establish a new international organization, the International Kurash Organization, and endorsed the set of international rules for Kurash. This historic day signified the transformation of Kurash from a folk game into a recognized international sport.
Since 1998, Kurash Confederations have been established on five continents (Africa, America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania), and 136 national Kurash federations have been formed.
In 2003, Kurash was recognized as an Asian sport and officially included in all continental games held on the Asian continent. This inclusion paved the way for Kurash competitions to be featured in events such as the Summer Asian Games, the Asian Indoor Games, the Asian Beach Games, and the Asian Martial Arts Games.
Future Aspirations
Efforts are currently underway to include Kurash in the competition programs of the European Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games. The ultimate objective is the inclusion of Kurash in the Summer Olympics program.
