Global South World - Kyrgyzstan https://www.globalsouthworld.com en-US 3,000 athletes are in Kyrgyzstan for the World Nomad Games — But this sport could steal the show https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/3-000-athletes-are-in-kyrgyzstan-for-the-world-nomad-games-but-this-sport-could-steal-the-show https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/3-000-athletes-are-in-kyrgyzstan-for-the-world-nomad-games-but-this-sport-could-steal-the-show?feed=Kyrgyzstan Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:38:00 Z Kok boru is a team sport in which riders compete on horseback to gain control of a goat carcass or weighted dummy and throw it into the opposing team's goal, known as a taikazan .

The sport combines speed, strength, riding skills and teamwork, with players wrestling for possession while controlling their horses. Official matches usually last 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods.

The sixth World Nomad Games opened in Bishkek on August 31.

Around 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to compete in traditional sports including kok boru, wrestling, archery and hunting with birds of prey.

The Games run until September 6, with much of the sporting and cultural programme taking place in the Issyk-Kul region. The closing ceremony is scheduled for September 6 on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.

]]> Global South World Fighting over Goat carcass More than 100 countries gather in Kyrgyzstan for the World Nomad Games https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/more-than-100-countries-gather-in-kyrgyzstan-for-the-world-nomad-games https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/more-than-100-countries-gather-in-kyrgyzstan-for-the-world-nomad-games?feed=Kyrgyzstan Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:41:00 Z Footage from Monday's opening ceremony shows performers singing and dancing, musicians playing traditional instruments and horse riders galloping through the arena.

Athletes carrying national flags also paraded through Bishkek Arena, with teams from countries including Russia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Nigeria , Pakistan, Qatar, Ukraine and Turkey taking part.

The ceremony featured visual effects, including lifelike animal holograms accompanying participants from Argentina , Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia and Georgia.

Around 3,000 athletes are expected to compete, with representatives from more than 100 countries confirming their participation.

The programme includes traditional sports such as kok boru, wrestling, archery and hunting with birds of prey.

The Games run from August 31 to September 6, with much of the sporting and cultural programme taking place in the Issyk-Kul region. The closing ceremony is scheduled for September 6 on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.

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