Georgia wins 3 medals at unique World Nomad Games

Georgia has won three medals at the second ever World Nomad Games – an international competition involving hundreds of participants from 40 countries competing in some of the most unique national and tribal sports. 

Yesterday, on day two of the competition, Georgian athletes were awarded medals for their results in the mas wrestling discipline.

One of the medal-winners was Valita Gorelchniki, who triumphed in the women’s 55kg category.

Similarly male athletes Zviad Kajaia (125kg) and Valeri Adamidze (60kg) took gold and silver respectively.

The mas wrestling contest was hosted by the Sports and Recreation Centre in resort town Cholpon-Ata from September 3-4.

See the official promotional video for the World Nomad Games 2016 below:

Held near the picturesque surroundings of Lake Issyk-Kul in north-eastern Kyrgyzstan, the tournament launched on September 3 to "revive and preserve historical heritage of nomadic nations," said its organisers.

The competition also aimed to "present nomadic sports in their original form" by involving athletes in 16 traditional sports including mas wrestling, archery and horse racing.

Georgia is one of 40 nations taking part in the six-day competition, which also has a cultural mission to show the values, diversity and history of nomadic cultures.

With three medals Georgia advanced to third place overall behind Russia and Kazakhstan.

Complementing the sports contests, the World Nomad Games also involved cultural events, concerts and a scientific conference titled Nomadic Civilisation: Historical Heritage and Modernity that explores the history of nomadic culture and heritage.

Organised by Kyrgyzstan's state agencies, the World Nomad Games are being held for the second time. More than double the numbers of participants are attending this year’s games since its inception in 2014, when 19 countries took part.

This year's competition will end on September 8.