SPORT IN JIZZAKH – A LIFE IN KURASH
The Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan proudly enjoys a rich tradition in sport and physical culture. The regional government actively encourage a healthy lifestyle through sport and exercise, particularly among young people. FC Sogdiana Jizzakh play in the Uzbekistan Football Super League and the region has hosted national tournaments in a wide range of sports for many years. In 2023, Jizzakh hosted the World Championship of Belbogli Kurash, a belt variation of the now well-established international jacket wrestling sport of Kurash.
While mainstream global sports such as football are very popular, Jizzakh, in common with the rest of Uzbekistan, retains a serious interest in its own indigenous sports and traditions. Kurash is a form of wrestling where victory is gained by throwing the opponent on to their back utilising a grip on the opponent’s jacket or belt. It has existed in different regional variations for well over 3000 years with tournaments taking place at festivals and weddings. Following Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, a single synthesised international version was created and currently the International Kurash Association boast well in excess of 100 national federations spread across all continents of the world. Kurash is now a fixture in the Asian Games and other major international multi-sport events and has realistic Olympic aspirations.
One of the most famous Kurash stars of the last twenty years has been Jizzakh’s Olim Ravshanov, the 2007 world champion in the under 66kg category.
Having competed (unsuccessfully!) against Olim at the prestigious Al-Hakim At-Termiziy Tournament in Termez and also, as a fellow competitor, witnessed his outstanding performance when winning his world championship in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia, I can truly attest to his outstanding skill, modesty and sportsmanship. Thanks to the IKA and Uzbekistan Kurash Federation, I have been able to secure this account from Olim summarising his life in Kurash and ongoing commitment to this fascinating sport.
“Even if given the opportunity to choose again, I would still choose Kurash!” Olim Ravshanov
“This may sound like a very lofty statement but I am grateful for my fate because my life has been totally dedicated to Kurash.
My name is Olim Ravshanov. I am 39 years old and was born in a village called Bogdarchilik in the Dostlik district of Jizzakh region.
I am a professional Kurash coach currently coaching the national youth team of Uzbekistan. Previously I was a full-time athlete winning world championships at both youth and adult levels. In addition, I won the Asian continental gold medal and many other international tournaments at home and abroad.”
STARTING KURASH
“Like many children in Uzbekistan, I became interested in Kurash and started training when I was very young, so young and so long ago that I do not remember the exact age. I breathe Kurash!
My two elder brothers were very famous Kurash athletes and were my inspiration. The exploits of my brother, Mamadiyor, with his incredible throwing techniques aroused great admiration, interest and envy in me as well as the thousands of spectators present at his contests. From this I developed the desire to become a successful athlete like him.
From starting as a spectator at traditional Kurash matches held at weddings and festivals, I progressed to become a participant. I was very fortunate to have the support of my brothers and the lessons of my teachers.”
WORLD CHAMPION
“Sometimes I experienced hard times in training but, over the years, these difficulties were quickly forgotten when I began to make small achievements in competitions. I won the Jizzakh regional youth championship for the first time when I was 15. From this I was lucky to go on and win the national championship. The most exciting thing about that result was that I won a place to represent Uzbekistan at the World Youth Championship in Tver, Russia in 2000.
This was a real happiness for me. Before the world championship, I participated in very high-level training sessions to help me achieve the expected result. I won the World Youth Championship! I won many tournaments after that, however, the joy of that first world victory still gives me a thrill!
From 2002, I started training under a new teacher, Omon Toymurodov. Under him, I progressed through the Uzbekistan senior ranks and on to the national team. The highlight was winning the gold medal at the 2007 World Championship in Mongolia. In 2009, I was selected for the Asian Championships in Iran and again achieved the gold medal. Around this time, I also won international tournaments in Great Britain, France, and Turkey.”
COACHING
“Since retiring as an athlete, I have been engaged in coaching. I had no choice! I haven’t thought of any field of activity other than Kurash. Kurash is a way of life for me. I grew up in Kurash. I have lived a Kurash life. Even if given the opportunity to choose again, I would still choose Kurash!”
COACHING AND COACH DEVELOPMENT
Today, Olim coaches the Uzbekistan youth team. Apart from this daily responsibility, he is heavily involved in global coach development on behalf of the IKA. He is chief technical coach on many of the IKA’s international coaching qualification courses including that held alongside the recent world championships in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Kurash enthusiasts in the UK await Olim Ravshanov’s return!
Paul Sawyer
with thanks to Jamshid Namozov (International Kurash Association) and Orzubek Musinov (Uzbekistan Kurash Federation