Athletes have fully enjoyed the fierce competitions featuring the passion and power of the nomadic lifestyle at the fifth World Nomad Games held in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.
The games, ran from Sept 8 to 13, have attracted over 2,500 athletes to compete in 21 events, including competitions that nomadic peoples have enjoyed for centuries.
Some unique sport events are gaining global popularities, for example, cowboys from the United States have taken an active part in kokpar competitions.
Kokpar, also known as "goat-pulling", is a traditional game where horse-mounted players battle for possession of a decapitated goat carcass, attempting to throw it into special goals. It's a combination of rugby and horseback riding.
"The 2016 World Nomad Games we were invited by the U.S. embassy and the Kyrgyz. Friends who know friends at the embassy said we can bring cowboys that can play. The horses are bridge between the two cultures," said Scott Zimmerman, a member of the U.S. kokpar team.
Another very popular sport is the power competitions. Similar to Hercules competitions around the world, men compete with the heaviest weights to lift the highest, carry the farthest, last the longest at the nomadic games.
There are five disciplines, including carrying of a 100-kilogram stone, throwing a 10-kilogram javelin and lifting a 130-kilogram log on shoulder.
Chinese strongman Deng Jie did quite well at the games, and hoped more people from his country could show their strength at the future World Nomad Games.
"I also hope that more Chinese people will like strength and sports. China is very strong. I hope to let the world see that China is strong," said Deng Jie.
More traditional folk games are taking place in Astana's Alau Ice Palace sports stadium, such as the Asyk Atu, where athletes try to win by hitting targets from a certain range.
"Asyks" are the dried knee joints of a sheep or a ram. The player who knocks out eight asyks first becomes the winner.
"Every nation should know its history. Sport is not only history, it is also the present and the future, so today we must popularize and teach children many rules that our athletes play. They must be preserved and improved," said Kamchibek Uzakbaev, president of Asyk Atu Kyrgyzstan.
Some of the sports here are seen in many cultures, such as archery and the familiar tug of war, but the games aren't only about physical capabilities, but also intellectual strength, such as board games.
The World Nomad Games take place every two years, and the 2026 version is expected to be held in Kyrgyzstan.
World athletes enjoy fierce, unique competitions at World Nomad Games
