Girl Wrestlers

In the past decade, women's wrestling has become increasingly popular in Kyrgyzstan. This happened after Aisuluu Tynybekova became the first woman to wrestle for Kyrgyzstan in the Olympics and the country’s first world champion in wrestling. In a country struggling to find gender balance amid an Islamic revival, the success of women's wrestling is remarkable. The sport has always been popular in the country but was considered too manly for women. Today, when female wrestlers are among the most famous athletes in the country, more and more girls pick up this sport. The number of female athletes participating in national wrestling competitions grew from two dozen in 2015 to more than 500 in 2025.

Four female wrestlers practice by Lake Issyk-Kul at 7 am. For many women wrestlers from rural areas, this sport serves as a unique career opportunity and a social elevator.

Four female wrestlers practice by Lake Issyk-Kul at 7 am. For many women wrestlers from rural areas, this sport serves as a unique career opportunity and a social elevator.

Tancholpon K. spars with a teammate. At 17, she was a three-time country champion. When her coach first approached her parents, suggesting she should take up wrestling, they were reluctant. They thought that the sport was too manly and wished she'd b

Tancholpon K. spars with a teammate. At 17, she was a three-time country champion. When her coach first approached her parents, suggesting she should take up wrestling, they were reluctant. They thought that the sport was too manly and wished she'd become a singer: Tancholpon has a lovely singing voice.

Nazgul, 17, spars with a male teammate during a test match before a competition. Wrestling gyms in Kyrgyzstan are mixed gender, and women wrestlers often spar with men to improve their technique. However, not every boy or man is willing to wrestle wi

Nazgul, 17, spars with a male teammate during a test match before a competition. Wrestling gyms in Kyrgyzstan are mixed gender, and women wrestlers often spar with men to improve their technique. However, not every boy or man is willing to wrestle with women wrestlers. Although men refuse, citing religious beliefs, the girls believe it is just an excuse to cover up their fear of losing to a woman.

Wrestlers drink tea during a break in a practice session. In the weeks leading up to a tournament, athletes go through intense weight loss, shedding up to 4 kilograms in a week. To lose weight, wrestlers keep a diet that consists of horse-meat broth

Wrestlers drink tea during a break in a practice session. In the weeks leading up to a tournament, athletes go through intense weight loss, shedding up to 4 kilograms in a week. To lose weight, wrestlers keep a diet that consists of horse-meat broth and hot black tea, which they drink during practice sessions to sweat more.

Athletes and coaches from the Kyrgyz national wrestling team watch their teammate Aisuluu Tynybekova in the women's 62 kg wrestling final at the Tokyo Olympics on August 4, 2021. Tynybekova, the first Kyrgyz woman to win an Olympic silver medal, insp

Athletes and coaches from the Kyrgyz national wrestling team watch their teammate Aisuluu Tynybekova in the women's 62 kg wrestling final at the Tokyo Olympics on August 4, 2021. Tynybekova, the first Kyrgyz woman to win an Olympic silver medal, inspired many of them to come into this sport. The wrestling match caught them amid their weekly sauna session at their bootcamp site in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

Wrestlers get ready for a competition in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. Traditionally, long, well-groomed hair is considered one of the most valuable assets for a Kyrgyz woman. Many Kyrgyz girls sacrifice their long hair for the love of the sport. Some start

Wrestlers get ready for a competition in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. Traditionally, long, well-groomed hair is considered one of the most valuable assets for a Kyrgyz woman. Many Kyrgyz girls sacrifice their long hair for the love of the sport. Some start wrestling with meter-long braids but cut them off because they get in the way and can even cause a penalty if a wrestler spends too much time adjusting her hair.

Kyrgyz girl wrestlers listen to the national hymn during an international competition in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 20, 2021. Dozens of girls were inspired to join the sport after two Kyrgyz women wrestlers won Olympic medals in 2021.

Kyrgyz girl wrestlers listen to the national hymn during an international competition in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 20, 2021. Dozens of girls were inspired to join the sport after two Kyrgyz women wrestlers won Olympic medals in 2021.

Wrestling practice at a bootcamp in Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan. Every year, teenage wrestlers spend up to three months in camps across Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries.

Wrestling practice at a bootcamp in Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan. Every year, teenage wrestlers spend up to three months in camps across Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries.