Kyrgyzstan defeated Kazakhstan 7-2 in zher uulak (kokpar) final at the VI World Nomad Games.
The Kyrgyz team led 3-2 after the first half. In the second half, Kyrgyzstan extended its advantage and prevented the opponents from scoring another salym.
Dastan Ruslanov, wearing number seven, scored the fifth salym to make it 5-2.
One of Kyrgyzstan’s most renowned ulakchy, Manas Niyazov, then increased the lead to 6-2. Iskhak Bekbolot uulu scored the seventh and final salym, sealing a 7-2 victory for Kyrgyzstan.
The match was played in front of enthusiastic supporters.
Several cash and other prizes for players were announced during the final.
Kazakh kokpar veteran Abilkhan Daulbayev promised Kazakhstan’s players $1,000 for every salym scored. Daniyar Koblandin, head of the World Kokpar Association, announced a reward of 1 million tenge for each player who scored a goal up to the fifth salym.
During the match, Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh Marlen Mamataliev also announced a cash prize for the winners. On behalf of himself and members of parliament, he pledged 1 million soms to the victorious team.
President of the Kyrgyz Kok-Boru Federation Aibek Shamshidin uulu and Vice President Zhoomart Abduzarib uulu said they would award the Kyrgyz team 1 million soms if it won.
In addition, one spectator promised each player of the Kyrgyz team a pilgrimage trip to Mecca.
Seven teams, divided into two groups, competed in the kokpar tournament. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan finished first in their respective groups and advanced to the final.
Before the current Games, Kazakhstan were the defending champions. At the previous World Nomad Games in Astana, the final between the same teams ended with a 5-4 victory for Kazakhstan.
