The Return of Kokpar as Kazakhstan's Modern National Sport
Since independence, kokpar has made a comeback as part of a broader revival of nomadic traditions.
The World Nomad Games, launched in 2014, showcase sports such as archery, wrestling, and kokpar.
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A kokpar play during a scrimmage. Photo by Albert Otkjaer, via Vlast.kz.
This post by Albert Otkjaer first appeared in Vlast.kz on September 18, 2025.
As the sun sets over a hippodrome on the outskirts of Almaty, 10 men on Karabair horses line up. At the referee’s call, they charge across the field toward a stuffed leather sack, roughly the size of a goat.
Author's summary: Kokpar revives in Kazakhstan.