Recently, the junior team of Kyrgyzstan participated in an international curling tournament held in the Chinese city of Yichun. This was reported by representatives of the scientific-educational complex "Lomonosov School," where the athletes train.
Teams from Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, and Russia participated in the competition, making the tournament particularly significant. For Kyrgyz junior athletes, this event was an important step in the development of a new sport in the country.
The team consisted of schoolchildren engaged in curling at the base of the National Olympic Committee "Lomonosov School," as well as those who are part of the federation of this sport. Ninth-grader Aysuluu Duyshonbekova, one of the participants, has been curling for several years and previously took part in training camps in Turkey.
For me, being one of the first to practice curling in our country is a significant opportunity.
Aysuluu Duyshonbekova
In her opinion, participating in international tournaments allows one to assess the level of opponents and identify directions for further development.
“We saw other athletes and realized that we have many opportunities for growth. Moreover, it is a great way to get acquainted with another culture and approach to sports,” Aysuluu added.
The head coach of the federation, Aibek Asanaliev, noted that curling requires not only physical strength but also mental skills.
Curling can be compared to chess on ice. It is not enough to just throw the stone well; one must be able to think, see the game, and understand both their partners and opponents.
Aibek Asanaliev
The preparation for the tournament included theoretical classes, tactical analyses, and training camps in Turkey, where the team worked under the guidance of experienced specialists who train Olympic teams.
Despite the lack of experienced players and developed infrastructure, the Kyrgyz team performed commendably on the international stage, competing against more experienced opponents. Although the young curlers did not take prize places at the tournament in Yichun, their participation in the competition was an important experience and demonstrated the potential for the development of curling in the country.
