Orif Buharakov, Chairman of the ‘Hanmudo’ Martial Arts Federation of Turkmenistan and Honoured Coach of the country, received a 4th dan black belt in hapkido. The certificate was issued after he successfully passed an international exam, according to IIC.

The certification was conducted under the supervision of the President of the Global Hapkido Federation, Han Jung Doo (X dan), and included a two-hour strength programme with a demonstration of about 400 technical defence and attack techniques. The new status allows Buharakov to open international schools and independently conduct black belt examinations up to and including III dan.

The ‘Hanmudo’ Federation, headed by Buharakov, oversees several disciplines: hapkido, pencak silat, kabaddi, universal combat and MMA. Last year, the organisation held the first ever Turkmenbashi Hapkido Championship in the ‘light’ discipline, bringing together athletes from all regions of the country.

Turkmen fighters confirm the high level of the domestic school on the international arena. Last year, they won more than 50 medals at the Asian and World Universal Fighting Championships, including 17 gold medals. Buharakov himself became world champion in the classic programme and vice-champion in the ‘light’ discipline in the weight category up to 90 kg.

The new sports season also promises to be intense. On 23–24 March, Ashgabat will host city championships in MMA, universal and hand-to-hand combat. Similar competitions are planned in the Balkan, Lebap and Mary velayats. At the end of the month, the national team will represent Turkmenistan at an international tournament in Uzbekistan.