Köräş (Tatar wrestling)
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Köräş is a form of belt wrestling in which each wrestler tries to put the opponent on their back using any of the permitted techniques. Its history goes back to ancient times, when it was a form of entertainment and leisure at large public gatherings. Later it was used as one of the methods of soldiers' physical training.
Today köräş contests are the centrepiece of the national Sabantuy festival.
Origins
The word comes from the Old Turkic küreş; Azerbaijani güləş, Turkmen göreş and Uzbek kurash share the same root. The first all-Union championship in Tatar köräş was held in Kazan in 1928. Since 1956 competitions have been held in honour of the poet Musa Jalil.
Rules
Wrestlers hold the opponent by a towel or belt and try to take them off their feet.
Sources
Athletes
Jamal Feyziyev