Like all nations, the Kyrgyz have historically developed and still preserve traditional games and competitions. The development of physical culture and sports is connected, firstly, with the necessity to be ready for the defense of the Motherland, to stand out in bravery, agility, endurance, and strength; secondly, with livestock breeding and the nomadic lifestyle of the people. Therefore, competitions of heroes — balban kyurësh (belt wrestling of heroes), er sayysh (heroic combat on spears),
Kyrgyz people have long been close to sports: their nomadic lifestyle was associated with the necessity to constantly defend their land from enemies, to fight against natural elements for survival, and to overcome various difficulties. These circumstances required agility, skill, and endurance. Many traditional games of the Kyrgyz were competitive in nature and trained young men to become resilient fighters, the future defenders of the Motherland. However, the widespread development of
