The archery is an ancient art of the Turkmen people. Our ancestors taught their children to shoot arrows as well as to perform other national arts and games. They demonstrated their skills when they went hunting or played games at the wedding ceremonies and festive events. Examples of this fact are provided in our ancient epics and dastans. The Gorogly epic contains the following quotation, ‘Jygaly Beg made an arrow for his grandson’. The Huyrlukga-Hemra dastan includes the phrase, ‘Khosrow came to his kingdom and celebrated for forty days and forty nights, organised the horserace and archery competitions’.

To date, this ancient art has been developed into a sport. Various competitions are held in this sport, and excellent conditions are created for the athletes to improve their skills. One of such competitions was recently held in the gym of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports. Organized by the National Archery Federation and the above-mentioned Institute, the Open Championships (the 18-metre recurve archery events) was notable for close contest.

Thus, Y.Orazgeldiyev won the 18-metre single archery event. A.Gullashov and O.Kakyshova took the second and third places respectively. Y.Orazgeldiyev triumphed in the 60-shot event with 592 points. A.Gullashov took the second place with 586 points. K.Hummedov scored 581 points and entered the top three.

The winners were awarded the certificates of honour of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports and the medals of the National Archery Federation of Turkmenistan.

«Türkmen sporty».