Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

World athletes enjoy fierce, unique competitions at World Nomad Games

China

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration -:-
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
Â
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      China

      China

      World athletes enjoy fierce, unique competitions at World Nomad Games

      2024-09-13 21:22 Last Updated At:21:47

      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

      World athletes enjoy fierce, unique competitions at World Nomad Games

      Next Article

      Xi calls for strengthening China-Russia ties to address global uncertainties

      2025-01-21 22:51 Last Updated At:01-22 01:17

      Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to guide China-Russia relations to a new height in 2025 so that the stability and resilience of their bilateral relationship can better cope with the uncertainties of a challenging global environment, when talking with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link on Tuesday.

      Xi expressed his pleasure at meeting with Putin ahead of the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 29 this year, describing it as a time for reflection and planning.

      "At the turn of the year, it is a moment to review achievements and chart new plans," he said.

      Xi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN).

      "China and Russia should take the opportunities presented by the anniversaries to jointly safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, and the hard-won fruits of victory in World War II. Both countries, as founding members of the UN and permanent members of the Security Council, must uphold their institutional rights," he said.

      "In the new year, I'm willing to work with you to continue guiding China-Russia relations to a new height in 2025, to respond to external uncertainties with the stability and resilience of China-Russia ties, to boost the development and prosperity of both countries, and to uphold international fairness and justice," Xi said.

      Putin said he agrees with Xi's views, saying that Russia-China cooperation is built on a broad commonality of national interests.

      "Our perspectives on how to properly handle relations between major powers are increasingly aligned. Our bilateral relationship is built on friendship, mutual trust, support, equality and mutual benefit. It is independent and unaffected by domestic political factors and the current international situation," he said.

      Xi calls for strengthening China-Russia ties to address global uncertainties

      Xi calls for strengthening China-Russia ties to address global uncertainties

      Recommended Articles
      Hot · Posts