The 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.