The Fifth World Nomad Games held in Astana, Kazakhstan, showcased the traditional sports, culture, and unity of the nomadic peoples of Asia’s Turkic nations. The event featured over 2,000 athletes from 89 countries participating in 21 traditional games such as kokpar, audaryspak, and kusbegilik. Kazakhstan emerged as the overall winner of the games with a total of 112 medals, including 43 golds.
The games, which have roots in the “three games of men” – archery, wrestling, and horse racing, attracted participants from around the world, including Hungary, Italy, and Romania. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of preserving the nomadic heritage and passing it on to future generations during the grand opening of the event.
The games went beyond just sport, encompassing strategy games like Togyzkumalak, as well as performances of traditional music and poetry duels. The event served as a platform to promote the traditional Central Asian games and martial arts globally.
While Kazakhstan won the 2020 games, future editions could be hosted in other locations beyond the steppe, with the possibility of North America hosting the event in 2030 or 2032. The goal is to expand the reach of the World Nomad Games and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the participating nations. The event concluded with Kazakhstan’s victory in the kokpar tournament, highlighting the thrill and excitement of traditional nomadic sports.
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