Sport
Sports cooperation with Pakistan was discussed in Turkmenistan
17.07.2026On 15 July, Faryal Leghari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Turkmenistan, met with Allaberdi Saparov, Chairman of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of sport. The Ambassador presented the Turkmen side with official ‘Trionda’ footballs, manufactured for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Faryal Leghari, a ball from the professional series was also presented to the President of the Turkmenistan Football Federation, Guvanchmuhammet Ovekov. During the meeting, the parties expressed an interest in organising friendly matches between athletes from Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
Athletes from Turkmenistan have won 415 medals in the last six months
13.07.2026Athletes from Turkmenistan won 415 medals at international competitions between January and June 2026. This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Mammedov at a government meeting dedicated to the country’s socio-economic development results for the first half of the year, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in June, Turkmen athletes added a further 114 medals to the national team’s tally. Work on the development of physical culture and sport also continued during the reporting period. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, emphasised the importance of continuing to create conditions to encourage young people to take part in mass sport and gave the Deputy Prime Minister the relevant instructions.
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are strengthening their cooperation in equestrian sports
11.07.2026On 10 July, Batyr Rejepov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan, met with Rustam Bayaliyev, President of the Equestrian Federation of Kazakhstan. This was reported by the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the meeting, the Ambassador extended an invitation to Rustam Bayaliyev to attend as a guest of honour at the World Equestrian Championships and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest, which will take place on 4–6 September in Kronenberg (the Netherlands). The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of equestrian sports, the preservation and promotion of national horse-breeding traditions, as well as the development of cooperation between relevant organisations in Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Volunteers are being trained in Turkmenistan ahead of the World Equestrian Games
11.07.2026The Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan hosted a practical training session for volunteers who will represent the country at the World Equestrian Championships and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest in the Netherlands. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. During the training, participants learnt the basics of diplomatic protocol, international etiquette, and the rules for receiving official guests and accompanying foreign delegations at sports venues. The volunteers’ training has been organised jointly by the International Organisations Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan, the D. Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, and the A. Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding. The programme includes courses in English and German, veterinary science, the competition rules of the International Equestrian Federation, logistics and media relations. The World Equestrian Championships and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest will take place on 4–6 September 2026 in Kronenberg (the Netherlands) at the Pilbergen Equestrian Centre.
A Turkmen judoka has won two international tournaments
11.07.2026Turkmen judoka Maysa Pardayeva has won bronze and gold medals at two prestigious tournaments organised by the International Judo Federation (IJF), making a successful start to the Olympic qualification cycle for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. At the ‘Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam 2026’ tournament in Mongolia, the 21-year-old athlete took bronze in the under-57kg weight category. On her way to the medal, she defeated Kazakhstan’s Dana Abdirova, the 2024 world champion and 2024 Olympic silver medallist Huh Mi-mi from the Republic of Korea, as well as the 2022 European champion Timna Nelson Levy from Israel. In the semi-final, Pardayeva lost to the eventual winner, Akari Omori from Japan, but went on to defeat France’s Faiza Mokdar in the bronze medal match. At the next tournament — the ‘Qingdao Grand Prix 2026’ in China — the Turkmen athlete won the gold medal. During the competition, she won six bouts, defeating opponents from China, Kosovo, Brazil, Spain, Japan and France. In the semi-final, Maysa proved stronger than five-time Grand Slam winner Momo Tamaoki, and in the final she defeated France’s Martha Fawaz. According to the athlete, her victory at the Grand Prix tournament marked the fulfilment of a long-held goal and provided her with additional motivation in her bid to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games. Following the two tournaments, Maysa Pardayeva earned 1,200 IJF ranking points – 500 for her bronze medal in Mongolia and 700 for her victory in China. Both competitions were the first stages of qualification for the 2028 Olympics. Previously, the Turkmen judoka had won the Junior Asian Cup, taken silver at the European Cup and won bronze at the Asian Games. Her successful performances at the IJF tournaments have strengthened her position in the world rankings and boosted her chances of competing at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The Ahal-Teke riders from Turkmenistan are preparing to take part in the World Championships
11.07.2026Preparations for Ahal-Teke horses to compete in international events are continuing at the Ashgabat Equestrian Centre. In September, 30 racehorses will represent Turkmenistan in the Netherlands at the World Championships and the international beauty contest, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The programme also includes a performance by the ‘Galkynyş’ equestrian games troupe, which will put on an exhibition show for the audience. Preparations for the trip are taking place with state support, aimed at developing national horse breeding, preserving the traditions of breeding the Ahal-Teke breed and promoting it on the international stage.
Turkmen weightlifter wins gold at the World Youth Championships
08.07.2026Turkmen weightlifter Ogulshat Amanova has been crowned world champion at the IWF World Youth Championships, currently taking place in the Colombian city of Cali. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In the under-53kg weight category, the athlete recorded a total of 191kg (86kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk), winning three gold medals — in the overall standings, as well as in the snatch and clean and jerk. Another representative of Turkmenistan, Shabnam Kerimbayeva, with a total of 188 kg (83+105), took bronze and won a silver medal in the clean and jerk. The silver in the overall standings went to Jhodie Peralta of the Philippines (188 kg). The World Championships in Cali will conclude on 11 July.
Turkmen weightlifter wins silver at the World Youth Championships
08.07.2026Turkmen weightlifter Atabek Azamatov has won the silver medal at the IWF World Youth Championships, which are being held in Cali (Colombia). This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. In the under-60 kg weight class, he achieved a total of 249 kg (116 kg in the snatch and 133 kg in the clean and jerk). In addition, Azamatov won a small gold medal in the snatch event. The competition was won by Mexico’s Víctor Méndez, who totalled 250 kg. The bronze medal went to Russia’s Evgenii Butuzov. Another representative of Turkmenistan, Kerem Gurbandurdyev, finished seventh with a total of 237 kg (107 kg in the snatch and 130 kg in the clean and jerk). The World Youth Championships will conclude on 11 July.
The Turkmenistan national team performed well at the ‘Samarkand Open – 2026’
07.07.2026Turkmen athletes performed successfully at the ‘Samarkand Open – 2026’ international mixed martial arts tournament in Uzbekistan, winning several gold medals and championship belts. More than 300 athletes from 14 countries took part in the competition, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. Shohrat Orazgeldiyev became champion in the ‘light’ and classical styles, whilst his son Seyran Orazgeldiyev won both disciplines in his age category. Orazgeldi Orazgeldiyev secured another victory in the classic style, whilst Vepa Hojamammedov won the championship belt, as well as a gold and a bronze medal. In July, the Turkmenistan national team will take part in the MMA Fight World Championships in Andijan, where 13 athletes will represent the country.
A Turkmen wrestler has been crowned Asian champion in the under-20 category
06.07.2026Turkmen freestyle wrestler Dovletgeldi Myradov won gold at the Asian Under-20 Championships in Pattaya (Thailand). In the final of the under-92kg weight class, he defeated Kazakhstani wrestler Beibarys Yergali by a score of 10–2, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Alp Arslan Begenjov secured another medal for Turkmenistan. He took silver in the under-86kg weight category, losing in the final to Iran’s Abolfazl Shamsipour (2–9). Earlier, Greco-Roman wrestler Aslan Agadadayev won silver in the under-20 tournament. In the under-15 age group, the Turkmenistan team also won two medals. Mamed Kuliyev took bronze in the under-68 kg category, whilst Ybrayym Durdyev won silver in the under-38 kg category. At the end of the competition in Pattaya, the Turkmenistan national team finished the tournament with five medals: one gold, three silver and one bronze.
Seven athletes are representing Turkmenistan at the World Championships in Colombia
06.07.2026The Turkmenistan national team is taking part in the World Under-17 Weightlifting Championships, which are being held in Cali (Colombia). Seven athletes will represent the country at the tournament, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden Age’. Competing in the boys’ events are Kerem Gurbandurdyev and Atabek Azamatov (up to 60 kg), Shahin Hudaybergenov (up to 65 kg) and Davut Kakageldiyev (up to 79 kg). In the women’s section of the tournament, Turkmenistan will be represented by Shabnam Kerimbayeva, Ogulshat Amanova (up to 53 kg) and Gulzada Berdimuhammedova (up to 58 kg). At the previous World Junior Championships, held in Lima (Peru), the Turkmenistan team won 10 medals — 7 silver and 3 bronze. Kakamyrat Annamyradov, Didarbek Jumabayev and Islam Akmyradov each won three medals. Ogulshat Amanova won another bronze medal in the clean and jerk in the under-55 kg weight category. In the combined event, she finished fourth, 2 kg behind the bronze medallist.
A wrestler from Turkmenistan won silver at the U20 Asian Championships
03.07.2026Turkmen athlete Aslan Agaddayev has won a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships for athletes aged 20 and under, which are being held in Pattaya (Thailand). This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen athlete competed in the Greco-Roman wrestling event in the under-130 kg weight category. He confidently reached the final, where he finished second following the decisive bout. The U20 Asian Championships in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling brought together the continent’s strongest junior wrestlers. The participants are competing for medals and ranking positions in their respective weight categories. Agaddayev’s silver medal was one of the best results achieved by the Turkmenistan national team at the tournament and confirmed the high standard of training among the country’s young athletes.
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