Baku to host 2026 Qazaq Kuresi World Championships
Azerbaijan's Baku will host the XII World Qazaq Kuresi Championships among adults, scheduled for August 22-23, 2026, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Trend.
The tournament will bring together athletes from various countries at one of the largest international platforms for Kazakhstan’s national wrestling style.
According to the Qazaq Kuresi Association's press service, the competition will take place at the Baku Sports Hall. Athletes will compete for medals in 16 weight categories — eight for men and eight for women.
Kazakhstan’s national team will participate in the championships with a full squad and will be represented in all weight categories. In the men’s competition, athletes will compete in the 55, 60, 66, 74, 82, 90, 100, and over 100 kg categories. In the women’s competition, winners will be determined in the 48, 52, 56, 60, 65, 70, 77, and over 77 kg categories.
On the first day of the tournament, August 22, competitions will be held in the men’s 55, 60, 66, and 74 kg categories, as well as the women’s 48, 52, 56 and 60 kg categories. On August 23, winners and medalists will be determined in the remaining eight weight categories.
The Kazakhstan team includes athletes with experience in international competitions. Among them are 2024 World Cup winner Ruzimon Tugushev, 2023 Asian champion and 2025 CISM World Champion Yernur Suleimen, and 2024 World Cup bronze medalist Kemelbek Moldash.
One of the team leaders will be Zhumazhan Kozhambekov, a two-time world champion (2022, 2025), winner of the 2023 World Martial Arts Games, champion of the 2024 5th World Nomad Games, CISM World Champion, and 2025 World Cup winner.
The team will also include 2025 Asian champion Yerkanat Moldagulov and Nurdaulet Zharylgapov, who is the 2022 world champion, 2023 Asian champion, and winner of the 2024 5th World Nomad Games.
The women’s national team will be represented by Kazakh champions Zhanat Kazez, Tamila Alikhanova, Ardak Nursak, Sezim Oteuli, Sevara Nyshambayeva, Nazerke Tileukhanova and Arailym Abenova. Kazakhstan championship silver medalist Ramila Salimyanova will also compete.
"The World Championships in Baku will become another important stage in expanding the international reach of Qazaq Kuresi. In recent years, the international competition system for this national sport has been developing consistently, bringing together athletes from Asia, Europe, Africa and other regions of the world. The World Championships are one of the key tournaments in this direction," the Qazaq Kuresi Association said.
Over the history of international competitions, 11 world championships, 13 Asian championships, six World Cups, six European championships and two African championships have been held. Qazaq Kuresi tournaments have taken place in Kazakhstan, Iran, Brazil, Azerbaijan, and other countries.
The opening ceremony of the XII World Qazaq Kuresi Championships will take place on August 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Baku Sports Hall.
Qazaq kuresi is a traditional Kazakh wrestling style that is practiced in more than 40 countries and recognized by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage, reflecting its deep roots in the nation's history.
As Qazinform News Agency reported earlier, Zhantilek Nurtilepuly clinched gold at the Qazaqstan Barysy 2026 Qazaq Kuresi tournament
