Kazakhstan Races to the Top at World Nomad Games

Kazakhstan is leading the medal race at the sixth World Nomad Games, with 55 medals recorded by Sept. 4, the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported. The haul includes 25 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze medals.

The Kyrgyz Republic is second with 58 medals overall, including 23 gold, 24 silver and 11 bronze. Russia ranks third with 23 medals, made up of four gold, six silver and 13 bronze.

Kazakhstan has collected medals in audaryspak, kazakh kuresi, alysh, arm wrestling, sambo, tug of war, traditional archery, horse racing, eagle hunting and other disciplines. Syrym Izbasarov won the 100-kilogram audaryspak title after defeating his longtime Kyrgyz rival in the final. The victory gave him his third World Nomad Games title. Daryn Otkelbai won gold in the 90-kilogram division, while Nurzhan Erkinuly took bronze in the heavyweight category.

Eagle hunter Serikbolsyn Zhalgasuly and his hawk, Zhebe, won gold. Arman Koshkarov and his golden eagle, Algyr, took silver. Kazakhstan entered nine athletes in the eagle-hunting competition.

The country’s arm-wrestling team produced its strongest showing, winning 12 medals, including seven gold, four silver and one bronze. Kazakh women also won archery titles. Ayash Kabdollayeva took gold in the 60-meter puta target event, while Asemgul Galymzhanova won the 40-meter Central Asian target event.

Kazakhstan also won the 300-kilometer zhoryk long-distance horse race. Its riders finished the four-day event ahead of the Kyrgyz Republic. With Kazakh athletes yet to compete in 11 sports, the standings can still change as the games continue.