Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Kurash was first included in the program of the XVIII Asian Games, held in Indonesia last year. Then, medals were awarded in 7 weight categories.

Yesterday, a delegation led by President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah arrived in Tashkent. The President of the International Kurash Association, Director of the Asian Games of the OCA, Haidar Farman, arrived in Uzbekistan as guests of honor.

Today, the President of the National Olympic Committee, Umid Akhmatdjanov, met with Haidar Farman, during which the parties discussed the growing importance of kurash at the Asian Games. The head of the NOC in the negotiations put forward the idea to increase the weight categories in the kurash competitions at the Asian Games. The idea was supported by the president of the International Kurash Association. The OCA decision was sent to the organizing committee of the Asian Games in Hangzhou-2022 and Nagoya-2026.

Consequently, starting from the Asian Games-2022, 15 sets of medals will be played in kurash (7 men’s, 8 women’s). In addition, there will be team competitions for women and men.

Thus, the prestige of our national sport will be further enhanced at the Asian Games, and a total of 17 sets of medals will be played in kurash.

At the Asian Games, held in Indonesia, 7 sets of medals were played (4 men, 3 women). Uzbekistan was represented by 14 kurashists, who won 12 medals.