Kurash words · Beginner

The words you will hear in your first match, grouped the way you meet them.

B · Beginner · 18 words · Step 1 of 2

Basic terms

Kurash

A standing wrestling sport of Central Asia, governed by the IKA. Athletes in a jacket and belt try to throw each other so the opponent falls on the back. It is scored only by throws, and the bout is stopped after each scored throw.

No ground fighting

Kurash has no ground work. After each scored throw the arbitrator stops the bout and restarts it, and strangling and arm locks are penalised as forbidden actions.

Also called: standing only
See also: Kurash, Bout, Arbitrator

Bout

A single contest between two athletes, timed in pure time (the clock stops when the bout is stopped). Senior men fight 4 minutes and senior women 3 minutes; younger and older groups fight 2 or 3.

The mat

Gilam

The kurash mat, at least 10 m by 10 m and at most 16 m by 16 m, laid on an elastic floor. It has two zones divided by the dangerous line.

Also called: tatami, mat
See also: Kurash, Dangerous line

Uniform and bout

Yakhtak

The kurash jacket, dark blue or green, worn with white trousers and a red belt. The first athlete called wears blue and the second green. It must be made of cotton and not too rigid, and wearing a non-standard one can be punished by Girrom.

Also called: jacket
See also: Kurash, Girrom

Tazim

The bow athletes make to each other, right hand on the left breast, before the bout and after the result. It is also the command that calls for it.

Also called: bow
See also: Bout

Weight categories

Athletes compete by age group and weight. For 2026 senior men have classes from 60 kg up to 120 kg and over, and senior women from 48 kg up to 87 kg and over. An athlete may enter only one class, apart from the absolute weight.

Commands and gestures

Kurash!

The arbitrator's command to start or restart the bout, with a straight hand held out and the thumb up.

Tokhta!

The arbitrator's command to stop the bout, with a raised hand and the palm forward, given after each scored throw. The score is announced within two or three seconds.

Scores

Khalol

A clean win, signalled with a hand held high above the head. It is given for two throws scored as Yonbosh, for a throw after which the opponent falls on both shoulder blades, after a Girrom penalty, or when the opponent does not come to the gilam within three minutes.

Also called: halol, pure victory
See also: Gilam, Yonbosh, Girrom

Yonbosh

The middle score, signalled with a hand at shoulder level, palm down. It is given for a strong, sharp throw after which the opponent lands on the side, for a technique that lacks one element of a Khalol, and when the opponent receives a Dakki penalty.

Also called: yambosh
See also: Khalol, Dakki

Chala

The smallest score, signalled with the arm bent at 90 degrees. It is given for a throw onto the buttocks or belly with technical errors or done slowly, and for a Tanbekh against the opponent. Chala scores cannot be turned into a higher score.

Penalties

Tanbekh

The first and least penalty, for a first minor violation. It gives the opponent a Chala. The arbitrator points a finger at the athlete. Examples: blocking without attacking, false attack, leaving the area or pushing out without a technique, grabbing the trousers, rolling up the sleeves, strangling or arm locks, speaking.

Also called: tanbex
See also: Chala, False attack, Arbitrator

Dakki

The medium penalty, for a medium violation or a second one after Tanbekh. It gives the opponent a Yonbosh. The arbitrator raises a fist with the arm bent at 90 degrees.

Girrom

The heaviest penalty, for an athlete who already has Dakki, or for misbehaviour, a head dive, drinking liquid during the bout, wearing hard objects, or a non-standard yakhtak. It means disqualification and a Khalol for the opponent, and needs a majority of the three referees.

Also called: disqualification
See also: Bout, Yakhtak, Khalol, Dakki, Head dive

Officials

Arbitrator

The referee on the gilam who starts and stops the bout with the commands, announces scores and penalties, and checks the athletes' yakhtaks. Two side referees help, and the three decide by majority.

Also called: centre referee
See also: Bout, Gilam

Competition format

Knock-out system

Competitions run by knock-out without repechage. Athletes are drawn into two groups, A and B, whose winners meet in the final. A weight category is finished in one day. With five or fewer athletes it is a round robin.

Age groups

The groups for 2026 are children (4 to 7, then 8 to 11, then 12 to 13), cadets (14 to 15), juniors (16 to 17), seniors (from 17) and veterans, with separate weight classes. Youths of 16 and 17 may enter adult events with the Chief Referee's sanction.