SEOUL, September 5. /Dunyo IA/. The second Ambassador’s Cup tournament in Uzbek kurash was held in Seoul as part of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence, reports a Dunyo IA correspondent.

For the first time, the competition was held in an international format, bringing together athletes from Uzbekistan, the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Around 200 athletes from various cities and provinces of the Republic of Korea took part in the tournament. Uzbek students living and studying in the country also actively participated, showcasing the culture and traditions of their homeland through kurash.

At the opening ceremony, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Alisher Abdusalomov noted that kurash has held a special place in the spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people for centuries. Today, the sport has spread to more than 130 countries and continues to strengthen its position on the international sporting arena.

President of the Korean Kurash Federation Bae Hyung-shik emphasized that the Ambassador’s Cup is not only a sporting event, but also a means of promoting Uzbekistan’s culture and values. According to him, kurash is not merely a competition, but also a school of peace, discipline, good conduct and mutual respect.

Following the event, the Embassy of Uzbekistan and the Korean Kurash Federation agreed to further expand cooperation. In particular, the sides intend to promote Uzbek kurash more widely in the Republic of Korea, regularly organize national tournaments, championships and the Ambassador’s Cup, increase the number of kurash sections, and enhance the professional skills of coaches.

The South Korean online publication “Djournal” noted that the tournament attracted interest not only from representatives of the sports sector, but also from the cultural and tourism spheres. According to the publication, the Ambassador’s Cup contributes to promoting Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, encouraging a healthy lifestyle among young people and strengthening friendship between peoples through sport.

The event concluded with a presentation of Uzbek national cuisine and traditional dances, giving participants and guests an opportunity to gain a closer insight into the culture and traditions of Uzbekistan.