DUSHANBE, 30.08.2024 /NIAT Khovar/.  On August 30, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, President of the National Olympic Committee, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, and the Chairman of the Majlisi milli Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mayor of the city of Dushanbe, Honorable Rustam Emomali, participated in the Official Opening Ceremony of the 1st World Gushtingiri (Wrestling) Championship in Dushanbe.

First, on the second floor of the State Institution “Tennis Palace and Water Sports Complex” of the capital, the Honorable Head of State Emomali Rahmon and the Honorable Mayor of Dushanbe Rustam Emomali, visited the newly established museum.

In the museum, the history and achievements of wrestling before the independence period and after Tajikistan’s attaining independence were presented to the Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon.

Then, the President of the country delivered a congratulatory speech at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship in the magnificent hall of the sports complex.

3,000 participants of the magnificent sports event, guests and athletes – representatives of 63 countries of the world — were present in the hall.

Honorable Head of State Emomali Rahmon first extended a welcome to all the guests, athletes and other participants of the magnificent sports event to Tajikistan.

The President of the country recalled the ancient history of the traditional sport of the Tajik people – Gushtingiri (Wrestling), which has a history of more than five thousand years, expressed his views on the state support of this field, and considered very important the development of various sports, especially wrestling, and the significance and priority of holding such magnificent sports events.

At the same time, the importance of Gushtingiri in the mental and physical education of a person, especially teenagers and young people, was emphasized.

The Head of State stated that the creation of suitable infrastructural and organizational conditions for the development of sports, including Gushtingiri, is in the focus of attention of the Government of Tajikistan, and with continuous efforts, Tajik national wrestling has gained international status.

«The result of measures in this area is that today our country is the host of various international events related to this type of sport, including the 1st World Gushtingiri (Wrestling) Championship,» — said the Honorable Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon.

In the continuation of the speech, the President of the country emphasized that thanks to independence, the capital of Tajikistan — Dushanbe, in addition to being the host of various international conferences on water and other global issues of the planet, the largest international sports events are also held in this beautiful and modern Tajik city.

Honorable Head of State Emomali Rahmon stated that «we will further take efforts to organize the Asian Championship, Asian Cup, World Championship and World Cup, as well as other high-level national and international Gushtingiri competitions.»

The Leader of the Nation called the holding of a high-level international event, i.e. the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship, an important factor in strengthening the health and friendship and cooperation of people, and the capital of our dear Tajikistan — the city of Dushanbe — the city of peace and friendship.

In the end of his speech, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan confidently stated that the holding of this event will start a new stage in the recognition of Tajik national sports at the world level, and the world will get to know the city of Dushanbe better and better as the host of prestigious international competitions.

After the speech of the Honorable Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, a colorful cultural program was held for guests and participants of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship at the opening ceremony of the sports event.

After the end of the cultural program, in the presence of the Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, athletes wrestled in four weight classes to win the final stage.

According to the schedule of events of the International Gushtingiri (Wrestling) Federation, with the direct support of the Government of Tajikistan, especially the President of the country, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, and the constant support of the Mayor of Dushanbe, Honorable Rustam Emomali, the 1st World Gushtingiri (Wrestling) Championship began on August 28 in our beloved capital, Dushanbe, and will continue until August 31.

Participation of athletes from 63 countries is foreseen in this high-level event, and competitions will be held for men in the weight range from 65 to 95 kg and among women in the weight range from 52 to 70 kg.

The venue of the championship is the State Institution «Tennis Palace and Water Sports Complex» of the Executive body of state power of the city of Dushanbe.

On August 31, the award ceremony and conclusion of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship will be held.

The total prize money is 400,000 US dollars.

It is worth mentioning that the rare animal of Tajikistan – the snow leopard was accepted as the symbol of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship.

The purpose of holding the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship in Dushanbe, which is supported by the Government of Tajikistan, is to present the peculiar history, culture and civilization of the honorable Tajik nation at the world level, and to revive and develop Tajik national wrestling.

It is a matter of pride that within the framework of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship on August 29, 2024, with the participation of representatives of 62 countries, Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, was unanimously elected the Honorary President of the International Wrestling Federation.

In the final stage of the wrestling competitions, wrestlers competed in 4 weights up to 65, 70, 71 kg and a total of 95.

Tajik athletes – Mullorajab Khalifaev, Masudi Ahmadzod and Shakarmamad Mirmamadov won in the weights of up to 65, 71 and total 95 kg among the men’s group and became the first world champions in the internationalized sport of Gushtingiri.

In the women’s group in the weight category up to 70 kg, the athlete of the Republic of Uzbekistan Gulnoza Matniyazova became the world champion and Shohida Kalandarova won the second place and the silver medal of the first World Gushtingiri Championship.

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon and the Mayor of the city of Dushanbe, Honorable Rustam Emomali, presented the medals and prizes of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship to the winners in the weight up to 65 kg.

Medals and prizes of the 1st World Gushtingiri Championship were presented to the winners of the weight category up to 71 kg by the Chairman of the Majlisi milli Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mayor of the city of Dushanbe, Honorable Rustam Emomali, and the winner of the bronze medal of the Paris-2024 Summer Olympic Games, Temur Rakhimov.