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With the countdown to the much anticipated 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games fast approaching, the attention is turning towards the competitions that will take place in Ashgabat.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow initiated a celebration on 29th July to mark the 50 days to go milestone wherein thousands of people took part.
The country took to pedal power, with vehicles banned from the roads, for a bike-only day to allow a tremendous display of support for a country putting the finishing touches before its capital city of Ashgabat takes the spotlight.
In particular, the spotlight is on five Olympic sports that are likely to create a buzz around the Turkmen capital in September.
With an enviable pool of athletes from 65 delegations aiming for gold, spectators are expected to fill the 15 competition venues to see Asia and Oceania’s top stars compete for honours in 21 different sports.
The fifth edition of the Games, the first to be held in Turkmenistan and in the Central Asian region, will feature five Olympic sports with a number of medallists expected to produce some memorable moments of magic:
Here are the five Olympic sports that will be hosted in Ashgabat.
#1 Wrestling
Having played a central part in the ancient Olympic Games since way back in 708 BC, Wrestling has always been at the forefront of all major global games events. Come 25 September, 26 medals will be up for grabs in this sport in Ashgabat.
The sight of the best in the world, battling it out without any protective gear in the setting of the 15,000seater Main Indoor Area will be nothing short of thrilling. Over the course of two days, Greco-Roman and Freestyle specialists will clash on the mat.
Adding to the aura of the Wrestling event at Ashgabat 2017 is the fact that the event will mark the first time that Wrestlers from Oceania will participate at an Asian event.
#2 Weightlifting
Fans of pure strength will be glued to the action at the Weightlifting Arena in Ashgabat but there is more to Weighlifting than meets the eye.
Starting from 18 September and spanning a period of eight days, lifters will go head-to-head for a total of 16 medals.
Unlike its general perception, Weightlifting requires as much cognitive skill as physical strength. There is much emphasis on focusing on the right technique, while the athlete’s success is also largely dependent on speed, timing, balance and flexibility. The Weightlifters that can synchronise their speed and timing will ultimately come out on top.
The Ashgabat 2017 competition will consist of two categories, the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk with athletes having three lift attempts in each discipline. The combined score from the best Snatch and the best Clean and Jerk for each lifter will be added together to determine the final score.
#3 Track Cycling
Track Cycling made its debut as an Olympic event for the first time back in 1896, in the first Games of the modern era. Ever since, the sport has always drawn the attention of millions around the world for its sheer adrenaline rush.
The best cyclists from Asia and Oceania will descend on the Velodrome to put on a display of power, endurance, speed and tactics around the 43-degree banked track on bikes with fixed-gears and without brakes. The venue will be the epicentre of fascinatingaction at breathtaking speeds to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. There will be 10 gold medals up for grabs.
#4 Taekwondo
The word Taekwondo, is a Korean word which can be broken down to Tae (foot), Kwon (hand), Do (art), and that translates to "the art of kicking and punching". The sport made its first appearance at the 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea as a demonstration sport.
Thirty years doesn’t seem like a long time, but this form of Martial Art has developed into a full medal event over the years and one of the most popular Olympic sports.
Taekwondo combines combat techniques, self-defence, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy. Physically, Taekwondo develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina. It is also known for its emphasis on kicking techniques.
At Ashgabat 2017, Taekwondo will be contested at the Taekwondo DanceSport Arena over five days and will have a tally of 18 medals on offer.
#5 Equestrian Sports
Equestrian has been a part of every single Olympic Games since 1912 and the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will play host to a Show Jumping competition in which riders must navigate through a course of up to 16 jumps that are as high as 6 feet 7 inches.
It is one of those rare occasions where men and women compete against each other on a level playing field. The key factors are technical proficiency and elegance rather than physical strength.
The skills of the rider and the horse are equally important, but developing competitive skills on the equine part requires considerable time and training. The riders face a fight on their hands to exploit the full potential of the horse while letting the horse respond to their demands instinctively at the same time.
The two medal events for both Individual and Team competitions will be held at the Equestrian Centre on 21 and 23 September.
These five Olympic sports, coupled with 16 other sports, are sure to get fans’ excitement levels soaring. As Ashgabat 2017 approaches, the world’s attention will be keenly fixed on the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan in September.
