This competition is held annually at the beginning of the year and serves to select the best athletes who will represent the country on the international stage, including championships and Cups of Asia, the World Championship, as well as Grand Prix stages and Grand Slam tournaments.
This year, the event took place for the first time in the city of Osh, where 14 sets of medals were contested among participants of both genders, but special attention should be paid to one weight category.
In the under 73 kg category, 27 wrestlers participated, and the title of national champion was won by Nurmukhammed Bakirdinov.
Notably, the second place in this weight category was taken by Islam Bayalinov, the head coach of the women's judo team of Kyrgyzstan. Islam ended his career over ten years ago but decided to return to the tatami last year.
In 2025, at the same championship, he took third place in the under 73 kg weight category, earning a bronze medal.
On the eve of his 40th birthday, which he will celebrate on January 31, Bayalinov achieved three victories and reached the final, ultimately winning a silver medal.
After finishing his sports career, Islam worked as a coach for the youth national team and participated in veteran tournaments. In 2023, he became the world champion among veterans in judo, and in 2025, he won gold at the veteran world championship in sambo.
Throughout his career, Bayalinov has repeatedly become the champion of Kyrgyzstan in the under 66 kg weight category.
