Sport
Golfers from Turkmenistan won the bronze medal at the World Championships
13.11.2026The Turkmenistan national golf team won bronze medals in the team event at the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) finals. This was the first time Turkmen athletes had competed in the finals of this competition. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The world finals took place in the Malaysian state of Johor across five golf courses. A total of 620 participants from 67 countries competed for the title. Each national team consisted of five players with handicaps ranging from 0.5 to 25.4. The tournament lasted five days and comprised five rounds. The Turkmen golfers gradually improved their position. After the first round, they were in fourth place; they then moved up to second place and, ahead of the final day, secured third place. In the decisive round, team captain Kurban Ishkabulov carded a ‘Par’. This helped the team retain its place among the top three, ahead of the representatives from the USA, Thailand and Indonesia. The top two positions were taken by the teams from Malaysia and China. The Turkmen athletes also performed successfully in the individual competition. Kurban Ishkabulov won the gold medal, whilst Gozel Yusupova took silver and received the top prize in one of the special categories. The 70-year-old captain of the national team received special recognition. The WAGC organisers presented Kurban Ishkabulov with a special certificate confirming his status as the first representative of Turkmenistan to compete in the final of the world championship. Work is also underway in Turkmenistan to develop golf and the relevant sporting infrastructure. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, is focusing on promoting this sport. Among the initiatives under consideration is the construction of golf courses in the city of Arkadag and the ‘Awaza’ national tourist zone.
Alp Arslan Begenjov will compete at the RAF tournament in Abu Dhabi
11.11.2026Turkmen freestyle wrestler Alp Arslan Begenjov will compete in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) tournament, scheduled for November 14 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The event will mark the league’s first competition in the Middle East. Among the participants are prominent fighters Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. At the tournament, Begenjov will face American wrestler Kyle Dake, the reigning RAF champion in the Cruiserweight division. His opponent has won five NCAA titles, four World Championship titles and two Olympic bronze medals. In September 2024, Begenjov made history by becoming Turkmenistan’s first-ever junior world champion in freestyle wrestling. He claimed gold in the 79 kg weight category at the U20 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, and also won the Asian Championship. In 2026, the wrestler moved up to the 86 kg weight category and added a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Bratislava to his list of achievements.
Turkmenistan's wrestlers won silver and bronze at the World Kurash Championships
10.11.2026Turkmen wrestlers won two medals at the XV World Kurash Championship, held on November 7–8 in Astana (Kazakhstan). This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Following the international tournament, the national team’s medal tally included a silver and a bronze medal. In the up to 66 kg weight category, Gadyr Agamammedov took third place, becoming a bronze medalist at the world championship. Ilham Kemalov, who competed in the up to 90 kg category, reached the final and finished the competition with a silver medal.
Representative of Turkmenistan appointed as Commissioner of the U-17 Asian Cup selection match
09.11.2026Oraz Mammedgeldyev, a representative of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, has been appointed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as match commissioner for the qualifying tournament of the 2027 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. This was reported by the International Information Center of Turkmenistan. He will be responsible for the organizational arrangements for the match between the youth national teams of Bahrain and Kuwait. The game will take place as part of Group G of the competition. The appointment of the Turkmen specialist to this responsible position demonstrates recognition of his professional competence and the growing involvement of representatives of Turkmenistan in international football activities.
A Turkmen karateka won a bronze medal in Moscow
08.11.2026Turkmenistan representative Davut Nazmyradov won bronze at the international karate tournament “Moscow – Universe of Karate 2026”, which was held in the Russian capital. This was reported by Turkmenmetbugat. The competition took place at the Irina Viner Gymnastics Palace, with 348 athletes from 46 countries participating. Accomplished karate athletes took to the tatami, including Olympic medalists, world champions and continental championship winners. The tournament was organized by the Moscow Department of Sports and the Russian Karate Federation.
Turkmen sambo wrestlers reached the podium at the World Championships in Tashkent
08.11.2026The Turkmenistan national team won two gold and two bronze medals in the first two days of the World Sambo Championships, being held in Tashkent. All the medals were won by the athletes in combat sambo. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The gold medalists were Sanjarbek Ovezberdyev, who competed in the under-64 kg weight category, and Mumidzhan Arzykulov — under 71 kg. The team's bronze medals were won by Akhmet Tanryberdiev in the under-58 kg category and Kurbanay Kurbanova — under 50 kg. The anniversary World Championships are taking place from November 6 to 8, with representatives of 101 countries participating. This number of national teams is a record in the entire history of the tournament. The competition was opened by the president of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS), Vasily Shestakov. Among the guests of honor were sambo ambassadors Fedor Emelianenko and Islam Makhachev. For the first time, the World Championships program includes sambo competitions for blind women.
A Turkmen athlete became the world champion in combat sambo
07.11.2026Turkmen sambist Sanjarbek Avazberdyev won the gold medal at the 50th World Sambo Championships, being held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). The athlete became the winner of the combat sambo competition in the under-64 kg weight category, reports the IIC of Turkmenistan. On his way to the final, Avazberdyev fought four bouts, conceding only one point to his opponents in total. In the decisive bout, he defeated Belarusian representative Yauhen Mikhno with a score of 8:0. Before reaching the final, the Turkmen athlete defeated Lenin Guerra of Ecuador (6:0), Abdelmounim Faroukhi of Morocco (8:0) and Mais Nersesyan of Armenia (8:1).
A Turkmen weightlifter won bronze at the World Championships
07.11.2026Turkmen weightlifter Shakhzadbek Matyakubov won the bronze medal at the World Weightlifting Championships being held in the Chinese city of Ningbo. According to the Turkmenportal, in the 110 kg weight category, he lifted a total of 417 kg in the two lifts, recording 187 kg in the snatch and 230 kg in the clean and jerk. The gold medal was won by Uzbekistan's Akbar Djuraev with a total of 432 kg (198+234 kg). During the competition, he set world records in the snatch and total. Iran's Alireza Nasiri, who lifted 418 kg (185+233 kg), won the silver medal. Earlier at the World Championships, 16-year-old Turkmen representative Shabnam Kerimbayeva also distinguished herself. In the 57 kg category, she set two world records among athletes aged 13–17, lifting 89 kg in the snatch and recording a total of 201 kg in the two lifts. Another 112 kg in the clean and jerk allowed her to equal the junior world record. Following her performance, Kerimbayeva finished in fifth place. Another success for the national team came with the performance of 18-year-old Didarbek Zhumabaev. In the 75 kg weight category, he improved the junior world records in all three events: 152 kg in the snatch, 188 kg in the clean and jerk, and 340 kg in the total. In the final standings, the athlete placed seventh. The World Championships in Ningbo will conclude on November 8. Turkmenistan is represented at the competition by ten weightlifters.
FC «Arkadag» secured its second victory in the AFC Champions League-2
05.11.2026Football club «Arkadag» secured their second win in Group B of the AFC Champions League Two, defeating Iran’s «Gol Gohar» 1–0. The only goal of the match was scored in the 77th minute by Turkmenistan captain Ahmet Ataev, reports the news agency “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. The fourth-round match took place at the stadium in the city of Arkadag. The hosts started brightly and created several dangerous chances from the opening minutes. After the break, Resul Khojaev hit the crossbar, before Ahmet Ataev found the net in the 77th minute following a pass from Shanazar Tirkishov. In the other Group B fixture, UAE side Al Jazira defeated Bahrain’s «Al Muharraq» 3–0 away from home. All three goals were scored in the second half. Following four rounds, «Al Jazira» lead the group with ten points and have already secured qualification for the Round of 16. «Arkadag» are second with seven points. «Al Muharraq» have three points, while «Gol Gohar» have two. In the final two rounds, Vladimir Bayramov’s side will travel to face «Al Muharraq» on November 25 before hosting Al Jazira on December 9. The Turkmen club will be competing for the group’s second place and the remaining spot in the knockout stage. The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for February 9–18, 2027.
Turkmen juniors won the team event in combat sambo
07.10.2026The Turkmenistan national team took first place in the Junior Combat Sambo team event at the World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships in Thessaloniki. The Turkmen athletes won six medals — three gold, two silver and one bronze, according to Turkmenportal. The gold medallists were Alihan Aydogdyev (under 58 kg), Islam Hemrayev (under 71 kg) and Malikberdi Begiyev (over 98 kg). The silver medallists were Rasul Jabrailov (under 64 kg) and Velmyrat Nepesov (up to 88 kg). Dovrangeldi Kakayev won the bronze medal in the up to 79 kg weight category. The Russian team took second place, whilst Georgia came third. The International Sambo Federation noted that Russia won the team competition in all disciplines except junior combat sambo. The World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships took place from 2 to 4 October at the PAOK Sports Arena. A total of 713 athletes from 40 countries took part in the competition. A total of 55 sets of medals were awarded, with representatives from 25 countries receiving honours. In the overall team standings, Turkmenistan finished fifth, winning eight medals.
Turkmen sambo athletes won seven medals at the World Championships
06.10.2026Athletes from Turkmenistan won seven medals at the World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships, which took place on 2–4 October in Thessaloniki (Greece). This was reported by Turkmenportal. On the first day, Annamuhammet Annamuhammedov won a bronze medal in the under-64 kg weight category for boys. On the second day, Turkmen athletes won five medals in combat sambo in the junior category. Gold medals were won by Alihan Aydogdyev (under 58 kg), Islam Hemrayev (under 71 kg) and Malikberdi Begiyev (over 98 kg). Rasul Jabrailov (up to 64 kg) and Velmyrat Nepesov (up to 88 kg) took silver. Dovrangeldi Kakayev won another bronze medal in the up to 79 kg weight category.
The Turkmenistan national team won two silver medals at the 20th Asian Games
06.10.2026Turkmen athletes won two silver medals at the 20th Asian Summer Games, which took place in Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October. This was reported by Arzuw.news. Davut Nazmyradov won a silver medal in karate-do (WKF) in the under-75kg weight category. The second medal, in the under-110kg weight category, was won by weightlifter Shahzadbek Matyakubov. Matyakubov lifted 188 kg in the snatch and 222 kg in the clean and jerk, totalling 410 kg. He finished second behind Akbar Jurayev of Uzbekistan, who lifted 423 kg. The Turkmenistan delegation comprised 57 people, including 34 athletes and 15 coaches. Turkmen athletes competed in eight sports: boxing, wrestling, karate-do, wushu, kurash, swimming, athletics and weightlifting. Athletes from 45 countries – members of the Olympic Council of Asia – took part in the 20th Asian Games. They competed for 469 sets of medals across 43 sports.
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