Kazakhstan Dominates Fifth World Nomad Games with Most Medals Won
Kazakhstan Emerges Victorious in Fifth World Nomad Games
The fifth World Nomad Games came to a close on Sept. 13, with Kazakhstan standing tall at the top of the medal table. In an unprecedented display of success, Kazakhstan clinched a total of 112 medals, including 43 gold, 32 silver, and 37 bronze.
The Kyrgyz Republic took the second spot with 65 medals, followed by Uzbekistan in third place with 49 medals. Over six days of intense competition across 21 sports involving athletes from 89 countries, the World Nomad Games concluded with a heartwarming ceremony at the Ethno-village.
During the closing ceremony, World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan commended Kazakhstan for hosting the event, emphasizing it as a testament to the brotherhood among Turkic nations.
Kazakh Minister of Sports and Tourism Yerbol Myrzabossynov expressed his pride in showcasing the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of the Kazakh people during the games.
As a symbolic gesture, the nomadic games symbol – torsyk (traditional leather vessel) – was passed to the Kyrgyz Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy, Altynbek Maksutov. The Kyrgyz Republic is set to host the sixth World Nomad Games in 2026.
Throughout the week-long event, Kazakhstan led with the largest delegation of 195 athletes, followed by Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The Kazakh wrestling event attracted the most participants, with 266 athletes competing.
Kazakhstan introduced a new powerful nomad competition this year, showcasing strength and traditional sports like audaryspak (horseback wrestling) and zhamby away (horseback archery), where Kazakh athletes excelled.
The final day featured baige, an ancient nomadic horse racing tradition, with Kazakhstan’s Aikabak horse claiming victory in a 25,000-meter race. The games also included cultural events at the Ethno Village and an international scientific conference exploring various aspects of nomadic lifestyle.
The World Nomad Games in Astana served as a celebration of nomadic heritage and traditions, highlighting the unity and spirit of the Turkic nations through sports and culture. Kazakhstan’s outstanding performance and hospitality left a lasting impression on participants and spectators alike, solidifying its position as a leader in promoting traditional sports on a global stage.
