Sport
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.
Turkmen athletes have won 554 medals in nine months
05.10.2026Between January and September 2026, athletes from Turkmenistan won 554 medals at international competitions. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Mammedov announced this at a government meeting dedicated to the country's socioeconomic development results for the past nine months, according to the ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’ news agency. In July–August, Turkmen athletes won 83 medals. In total, between January and September, the country’s representatives won 554 medals at international competitions. It was also noted at the meeting that work is continuing in the country to develop physical culture and sport. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, emphasised the importance of further improving work in the fields of science and education, healthcare and sport.
A 3-kilometre ‘Viksit Bharat’ run took place in Ashgabat
03.10.2026A 3-kilometre ‘Viksit Bharat’ (‘Developed India’) run took place at the Ashgabat Olympic Sports Complex. The event was organised by the Indian Embassy in Turkmenistan as part of the “Swacchata Hi Seva Campaign-2026” environmental initiative, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. Representatives of the Indian diaspora, Indian nationals and residents of Turkmenistan took part in the sporting event. The run was opened by Bandaru Wilsonbabu, India’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan. The event was dedicated to the 157th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. Participants emphasised the importance of a healthy lifestyle, environmental awareness and civic engagement. Following the race, the winners and runners-up in both the men’s and women’s categories received commemorative medals and certificates of honour from the Ambassador. The official part of the event concluded with the participants jointly reciting the ‘Viksit Bharat Pledge’. The pledge expresses a commitment to promoting India’s development and achieving the goal of transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047, when the 100th anniversary of its independence will be celebrated. Following the sporting programme, traditional Indian snacks were served to the guests. The Embassy also reaffirmed its intention to continue developing humanitarian ties between India and Turkmenistan on the basis of mutual respect and the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (‘The world is one family’).
A wrestler from Turkmenistan has reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Games
02.10.2026Turkmen wrestler Alp Arslan Begenjov won his opening bout at the 20th Summer Asian Games in Nagoya and advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition in the under-86kg weight class. This was reported by Turkmenportal. On 2 October, in the round of 16, the athlete faced China’s Hade Ayidusi. Begenjov secured victory on points with a score of 5–1. In the quarter-finals, the Turkmen wrestler will face Mongolia’s Suldkhuu Olonbayar. Begenjov is an International Master of Sport. In 2024, he became World Champion in the under-20 category in Pontevedra, winning Turkmenistan’s first-ever gold medal at the Junior World Freestyle Wrestling Championships. In 2025, at the U20 World Championships in Samokov, he reached the quarter-finals, and at the most recent U20 World Championships in Bratislava, he won a bronze medal in the under-86 kg category. The 20th Asian Games are being held in Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October. Turkmenistan is represented by 57 people, including 34 athletes competing in eight sports.
Read also
Advertising
Read us in Zen
