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Alysh
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Alysh (Kyrgyz: Алыш) is a Turkic term for Central Asian folk wrestling or "belt wrestling" regulated by United World Wrestling.[1]
Alysh is an upright wrestling style. Competitors wear trousers, jackets and belts, and must hold on to their opponents' belts at all times. Their objective is to throw their opponents onto the mat. Throws are given scores between 1 and 6, based on what part of the opponent lands on the mat. The first player to win 6 points wins the match. Since 2008, Alysh is recognized by FILA, the world governing body for wrestling (the United World Wrestling (UWW) predecessor) as "wrestling alysh".[2]
The development of the involvement of sports clubs with illegal drug traffic in South Kyrgyzstan is largely associated with IFWA and its former president Bayaman Erkinbayev. Erkinbaev also became a member of parliament in Kyrgyzstan in 2005. He was assassinated in September of the same year.[3]
Notable belt wrestlers
[edit]- Gregory Rudelson (born 1988), Israeli judoka and belt wrestler
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ emmanuel. "Alysh". United World Wrestling. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "Disciplines". United World Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- ^ A. Kupatadze (2008) "Criminal Networks in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan and Young Male Sportsmen", M. Demet Ulusoy (ed.), Political violence, organized crimes, terrorism, and youth, NATO, IOS Press, ISBN 978-1-58603-903-5, p. 183
External links
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Alysh
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Origins and History
Ancient and Pre-Modern Roots
Alysh, a traditional belt-grabbing wrestling style, derives its name from ancient Turkic roots meaning "to fight to determine the strongest," reflecting practices among Kyrgyz nomads in Central Asia.[1] Historical accounts trace its emergence to unwritten customs of Turkic tribes, where competitors gripped opponents' belts or sashes in upright contests to test physical prowess without weapons.[4] These traditions, preserved through oral folklore, emphasize minimal ground work and rapid throws, aligning with the mobility demands of steppe herding life.[3] The epic Manas, a cornerstone of Kyrgyz cultural heritage with versions documented from the 19th century but drawing on earlier oral narratives, references alysh-like struggles between baatyrs (heroic warriors) who competed by seizing belts to overpower foes.[5] This depiction underscores alysh's role in pre-modern Kyrgyz society as a ritual of valor, often integrated into communal events like seasonal gatherings or rites affirming tribal strength.[6] As one of Central Asia's oldest purported sports, alysh symbolized endurance and skill among nomadic peoples, with practices varying by locale but consistently prioritizing belt control for leverage and takedowns.[1] Prior to 20th-century standardization, alysh remained a folk discipline in Kyrgyz villages and pastures, contested informally during festivals to resolve disputes or celebrate harvests, without formalized weight classes or referees.[3] Ethnographic traditions indicate its continuity from medieval nomadic eras, where it fostered community cohesion amid harsh environments, though direct archaeological evidence specific to alysh is absent, relying instead on literary and performative records.[5]Modern Codification and Spread
The modern codification of Alysh occurred in the early 2000s, driven by efforts to standardize traditional belt wrestling practices into a unified international sport. In 2001, Kyrgyz parliamentarian and wrestling promoter Bayaman Erkinbayev initiated the creation of the International Alysh Federation to consolidate various regional belt wrestling variants under a single framework, drawing the name "Alysh" from the Kyrgyz epic Manas and ancient Turkic roots meaning "to fight to determine the strongest."[2] Erkinbayev, who collaborated with Russian wrestling expert Rif Gaynanov until 2005, oversaw the development of core rules emphasizing upright grappling while continuously gripping the opponent's belt, with matches conducted in standing position and divisions into freestyle (allowing leg techniques) and classic (prohibiting them) styles.[7] [8] These rules were formalized to align with international competition standards, including weight classes, match durations of 2-6 minutes, and victory by clean fall or points for throws.[9] The first major milestone in codification came with the inaugural Belt Wrestling World Championship in 2002, held in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, at the Alysh Sports Complex established by Erkinbayev, which featured standardized bouts and attracted competitors from multiple Central Asian nations.[7] This event marked the shift from localized folk practices to a regulated discipline, with subsequent refinements separating Alysh from related styles like Koresh after 2005 divergences in rule interpretation between Erkinbayev's and Gaynanov's approaches.[3] By the mid-2000s, the federation had codified attire requirements—white pants, colored jackets, and red belts—and scoring systems prioritizing technical throws over ground wrestling, distinguishing Alysh from freestyle or Greco-Roman variants.[1] Alysh's spread beyond Kyrgyzstan accelerated through federation-led initiatives, expanding to over 20 countries by the 2010s via national affiliates in Asia, Europe, and beyond.[10] Annual world championships since 2002, alongside inclusion in events like the World Nomad Games starting in 2014, promoted its global adoption, with participation growing from regional dominance to international fields including Iran, Kazakhstan, and Russia.[4] Integration with United World Wrestling (UWW) as an associated style in the 2010s further propelled its reach, enabling Asian Alysh championships from 2015 onward and technical support for rule harmonization, though the International Alysh Federation retains primary governance.[8] Today, Alysh features in multi-sport festivals and draws hundreds of athletes annually, reflecting its evolution from Kyrgyz tradition to a competitive belt wrestling discipline with structured international circuits.[11]Rules and Techniques
Attire and Equipment
Competitors in Alysh wear a uniform consisting of white trousers, a jacket in either blue or green, and a red belt, with the jacket secured tightly by the belt to facilitate gripping during matches.[9][3] The uniform must be constructed from thick cotton material to ensure durability and proper fit.[3] Wrestlers are required to don wrestling shoes as part of the standard attire, which is also used during weigh-ins after medical examination.[9] The red belt serves as the primary gripping point, measuring 150-180 cm in length and 4-7 cm in width, allowing competitors to maintain continuous hold on each other's belts throughout the standing bout.[3] Jackets are specifically designed as sports shirts in green for one competitor and blue for the other to distinguish sides clearly.[9] No additional protective gear, such as headguards or knee pads, is mandated or typically used, emphasizing the sport's focus on belt throws without ground work.[1]Styles and Fundamental Techniques
Alysh features two primary styles: freestyle and classic, distinguished primarily by the permissibility of leg-based actions. In freestyle Alysh, competitors may grasp the opponent's legs, execute trips, and actively employ their legs to facilitate throws or takedowns, broadening the tactical repertoire to include lower-body engagements.[9][3] In contrast, classic Alysh prohibits technical actions involving the feet while both wrestlers remain grounded, restricting leg use to scenarios where the opponent is airborne, such as during the "Kaytarma" lift-and-twist maneuver.[9][3] These divisions maintain the sport's emphasis on upright, belt-gripping combat, with all bouts conducted in a standing position until a successful throw.[12] Fundamental techniques revolve around secure belt grips and explosive throws, as wrestlers must maintain continuous hold of the opponent's red belt—typically 4-7 cm wide—with both hands at or above the waistline.[9] The starting position requires wrestlers to stand facing each other, with heads resting on the opponent's scapulae, the right hand inserted under the belt from the outside and twisted inward, and the left hand placed over the opponent's right hand for a locked grip.[9][12] Core actions include lifting, pushing, or twisting the opponent to execute throws, such as the "Taza" (a clean back fall for 5 points, where the opponent's shoulders touch the mat without other body parts intervening) or side throws placing the opponent in a danger position (2 points).[3][12] Additional techniques encompass "Araket" (forcing the opponent to touch with one knee, 2 points), "Jambash" (a side throw or fall onto the buttocks, 5 points), and rolls onto both knees (1 point), all executed while preserving belt control to prevent passivity penalties.[12] Prohibitions ensure safety and stylistic purity, barring actions like grasping below the belt, using one hand only for throws, or lowering hands from the belt during engagement.[12] In classic style, any premature leg interference results in cautions, whereas freestyle permits such dynamism to reward aggressive footwork.[9] These techniques prioritize leverage from the belt over ground grappling, reflecting Alysh's roots in nomadic belt wrestling traditions adapted for competitive clarity.[3]Scoring, Fouls, and Victory Conditions
In Alysh belt wrestling, points are awarded based on the execution of throws and control techniques while both wrestlers remain standing and gripping the opponent's belt. A throw resulting in the opponent landing on their back, known as taza or TAZA, scores 5 points. Actions that place the opponent in a danger position—defined as the back or shoulders touching the mat at an angle less than 90 degrees, such as a side throw or blocking on the side—award 2 points. Minor actions, including rolling onto two knees, confirmed challenges, or passivity calls against the opponent, yield 1 point each. No points are scored for falls where the attacker lands on their back, simultaneous neutral falls, or actions occurring in the protection area.[9] Fouls and penalties emphasize maintaining continuous action and adherence to belt-gripping rules. Cautions, denoted as "O," are issued for repeated passivity, breaking holds, fleeing the mat, or illegal leg use in the classic style (where leg techniques are prohibited while standing), with each caution granting 1 point to the opponent. A verbal warning, "V," is given for the first attempt to use legs illegally in the classic style. Three cautions result in automatic defeat. Prohibited actions include hair pulling, kicking, head-butting, strangling, grasping the mat, or brutality, which can lead to immediate disqualification. Illegal holds, such as leaning the head on the opponent's chest or stopping action with a fist on the side, prompt a stoppage, a caution, and 1 point to the opponent.[9] Victory conditions prioritize decisive control or superiority. A bout ends in victory by fall if both shoulders are pinned to the mat; by injury if the opponent cannot continue; by three cautions to the opponent; by technical superiority upon achieving a 6-point lead; by forfeit if the opponent fails to appear; or by disqualification for willful violations. If no such condition is met by the end of regulation time, the wrestler with the higher total points wins. In the event of a tie in points and cautions, precedence goes to the wrestler with the highest-valued scoring action, then fewer cautions, and finally the last scorer. For tournament classification, victories by fall, injury, or disqualification award 5 points to the winner, while points-based wins award 3 or 4 depending on the margin and opponent's score.[9]Governing Bodies
International Alysh Federation
The International Alysh Federation, also known as the World Alysh Federation (WAF), serves as the primary global governing body for Alysh, a traditional belt wrestling style originating from Central Asia. Established in 2001 in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, by Bayaman Erkinbaev, who proposed standardizing the sport's name "Alysh" after the Kyrgyz epic Manas, the federation aimed to unify disparate forms of belt wrestling under consistent international rules and promote the discipline worldwide.[2] Its creation facilitated the inaugural World Cup and Asian Alysh Championship that same year in Osh, drawing participants from 32 countries across five continents and marking the introduction of women's divisions alongside men's competitions to advance gender inclusivity in the sport.[2] Headquartered in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the WAF oversees rule standardization, referee training, and the coordination of national federations, with a focus on preserving Alysh's historical roots—evidenced in artifacts and literature from over 70 countries—while adapting it for modern competitive formats in freestyle and classical styles.[2] Current leadership includes President Adilet Bayaman Uulu, who has emphasized international tournaments and performances to elevate the sport's profile.[13] The federation maintains affiliations with over a dozen national bodies and collaborates on events such as annual world championships, including the 2025 edition planned for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, featuring senior men's and women's categories.[11] In 2008, the WAF joined the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA, now United World Wrestling) as a recognized member, enabling structured integration into broader wrestling governance while retaining autonomy over Alysh-specific regulations.[14] This affiliation has supported participation in multi-sport events like the World Nomad Games and expanded referee certification, with the WAF prioritizing empirical development through documented throws, point systems, and safety protocols derived from the sport's ancient techniques.[1]Integration with United World Wrestling
In 2008, the Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (FILA), the predecessor to United World Wrestling (UWW), recognized Alysh as an official belt wrestling discipline, establishing it as "wrestling Alysh" within its framework of associated styles.[1] This recognition formalized Alysh's place alongside core Olympic wrestling variants, enabling international standardization of rules, athlete participation in UWW-sanctioned events, and collaborative governance through the World Alysh Federation (WAF), which operates as an associated body under UWW oversight.[15] UWW's Committee of Associated Styles oversees Alysh integration, coordinating rule adaptations—such as mat specifications, scoring for throws based on body projection, and prohibitions on leg strikes—to align with broader wrestling protocols while preserving Alysh's emphasis on belt grips and rapid takedowns.[1] Official UWW rules for Belt Wrestling Alysh, updated as of 2025, mandate centralized mat usage for televised finals and incorporate international referees trained under UWW guidelines, facilitating cross-style knowledge transfer and anti-doping compliance.[9] This partnership has expanded competitive opportunities, with UWW organizing regional championships like the Senior, U17, and U15 Asian Belt Wrestling Alysh Championships, held annually since at least 2015, drawing participants from over 17 countries across Asia and beyond.[16] Events such as the 2016 World Cup in Belt Wrestling Alysh and ongoing initiatives underscore UWW's role in promoting Alysh's global development, including national federation affiliations like Kyrgyzstan's, which integrate Alysh training with UWW's Olympic wrestling programs.[17][18] Despite these advancements, Alysh remains non-Olympic, positioned as a developmental style to broaden wrestling's appeal in Central Asia without diluting UWW's focus on freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.[1]Competitions and Achievements
Regional and National Events
In Kyrgyzstan, where Alysh serves as the national traditional sport, annual national championships are organized by the Kyrgyz Wrestling Federation and held primarily in Bishkek, drawing competitors from across the country's regions in both men's and women's categories across various weight classes.[19] The 2025 edition, concluded on January 31, featured events in freestyle and classic styles, with Elza Abdykadyrova securing first place in the women's lightweight division and multiple regional representatives earning podium finishes, such as Begaim Akbalaeva from Batken in second.[19] Similarly, the men's championship that year awarded top honors to athletes like those in heavyweight bouts, emphasizing belt-gripping throws and endurance tests typical of the discipline.[20] City-level events, such as the Bishkek municipal championship on December 16-17, 2024, complement national competitions by fostering local talent development, with over 100 participants competing for titles in categories like those won by Adina Eshebolotova in women's events and Dooranbek Sapanov in men's.[21] These tournaments often serve as qualifiers for higher-level selections, integrating Alysh into Kyrgyzstan's sports calendar alongside events dedicated to figures like Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic Apas Jumagulov in September 2025.[22] Regionally, Alysh features in multi-sport gatherings like the Central Asian Games, scheduled for 2025, which include belt wrestling competitions among nations such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan to promote cross-border athletic exchange.[23] Domestic regional tournaments, including those in southern cities like Osh, host preparatory events that mirror national formats but focus on oblast representatives, contributing to talent pipelines evident in Kyrgyzstan's consistent regional medal hauls.[24] In Turkmenistan, analogous national-style events incorporate Alysh alongside Goresh wrestling, as seen in the April 2025 international tournament in Ashgabat that drew Central Asian participants for belt-grab bouts.[25]International Championships and Records
The inaugural international Alysh competitions occurred in 2001 in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, featuring the first World Cup and Asian Championship for men and women, with 32 countries from five continents participating and leading to the establishment of the International Belt Wrestling Federation “Alysh”.[5] Subsequent World Championships have been held under the auspices of the World Alysh Federation, often aligning with multi-sport events like the World Nomad Games, where Alysh serves as a premier discipline.[10] United World Wrestling (UWW) has integrated Alysh as the primary belt wrestling style, sanctioning continental events such as the Asian Belt Wrestling Alysh Championships, which in 2025 took place in New Delhi, India, from May 21 to 26 and included senior, U17, and U15 categories.[26] Turkmenistan has demonstrated dominance in several editions, securing four gold medals at the 2018 World Championships, including wins by Lachyn Badagliaeva (55 kg), Zuhra Madraimova (60 kg), and Nasiba Surkiev (75 kg) in women's categories.[27] At the 2016 World Nomad Games, Turkmenistan topped men's freestyle divisions across 60 kg, 70 kg, 90 kg, and +100 kg, with Nasiba Surkiev also claiming the women's heavyweight title.[28] Kyrgyzstan, as the sport's origin nation, has amassed significant success, including five gold medals at the 2019 World Championships through athletes like Marlen Abdurasulov (60 kg), Eldiyar Seksenbaev (70 kg), Orozbek Ashirov (100 kg), Anara Ryskulova (55 kg), and Meerim Momunova (60 kg).[29] In women's competition, Iran has emerged as a powerhouse, capturing the 2019 World Championship team title with golds from Hanieh Ashouri (+75 kg) and bronzes in other weights, alongside topping the 2025 Asian Championships with three golds from Roghayeh Mahmoudabadi (65 kg), Mobina Mirzapour (70 kg), and Sahar Ghanizadeh (75 kg).[30] [31] Formal world records, such as undefeated streaks or technical feats, are not systematically tracked in public UWW or federation documentation, but national medal tallies highlight Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan as historically most successful, with Kyrgyzstan earning 14 medals (including two golds) at the 2016 World Nomad Games Alysh events.[32]| Year | Event | Top Performers/Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | World Cup & Asian Championship (Osh) | 32 nations participated; federation founded[5] |
| 2016 | World Nomad Games | Turkmenistan (multiple men's golds); Kyrgyzstan (14 total medals)[28] [32] |
| 2018 | World Championships | Turkmenistan (4 golds)[27] |
| 2019 | World Championships | Kyrgyzstan (5 golds); Iran (women's team title)[29] [30] |
| 2025 | Asian Championships (New Delhi) | Iran (3 women's golds)[31] |