Afghanistan’s top wrestlers and Zurkhaneh athletes who won medals in recent Asian and international tournaments were officially honored by the country’s sports leadership in Kabul.
Kabul | By Sara Amiri
The leadership of Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education, Olympics, and Sports, on Wednesday, October 15 (23 Mizan 1404), honored national wrestling and Zurkhaneh teams for their outstanding performance in Asian and international competitions.
The ceremony, held at the National Olympic Committee’s conference hall, was attended by Dad Mohammad Painda Akhtari, Head of Olympic Affairs; Qari Hayatullah Rahmani, Sports Advisor and Wrestling Federation President; Mawlawi Abdul Nasir Hashimi, Administrative and Financial Director; and senior officials, federation leaders, athletes, journalists, and sports fans.
During the event, Hashimi congratulated the medal-winning athletes, saying the sports authority “will continue to support national champions and promote Afghanistan’s sports pride globally.” Rahmani praised the athletes’ determination, calling their victories “a moment of national pride.”
The honored wrestling team won four gold and two silver medals in the youth category and two gold, three silver, and three bronze medals in the senior category at the 36th Mohammad Ibrahim Mostafa International Wrestling Cup held in Alexandria, Egypt (Oct. 9–14, 2025). The Afghan teams secured first and second place overall in the youth and senior divisions, respectively.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Zurkhaneh national team earned 11 bronze medals, finishing third among 18 countries at the 7th Asian Zurkhaneh Championship held in Iran (Oct. 8–11, 2025).
Both events mark significant milestones for Afghanistan’s traditional and martial sports, showcasing the resilience and talent of Afghan athletes despite limited resources and international challenges.