The 1st CISM World Military Qazaq Kuresi Wrestling Challenge, a traditional wrestling and national sport of the Central Asian country, inscribed by UNESCO on the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” took place on August 14 and 15, 2025, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The event, organized by the CISM (International Military Sport Council), featured the Italian Qazaq Kuresi team composed of Technical Director Mattia Galbiati and athletes Sandro Lorito (66kg), Gabriel De Luca (74kg), Francesco Pio Aidone (82kg), and Eugenio Sturniolo (90kg), all belonging to the Armed Forces and the Traditional Wrestling Italian Federation, a sports association affiliated with the A.S.I. sports promotion organization.
“Over the years, our Italian team has participated in all the Qazaq Kuresi competitions (World Championships, European Championships, World Cup, Combat Games, and World Nomad Games), always winning medals. We are at the top of the European rankings,” commented Technical Director Mattia Galbiati. “This time, we almost reached the podium with Gabriel De Luca (5th place), but we had an extraordinary sporting and military experience. Our athletes had prepared well for this high-level technical competition, and each of them won at least one match, demonstrating courage and technical skill. We represented Italy and our Armed Forces with great pride. We are very satisfied.”
“The participation of the Italian athletes in this event is a profound honor and a source of great satisfaction for me,” stated Vittorio Giorgi, president of the Traditional Wrestling Italian Federation. “I would like to thank the CISM Secretary General, Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, and the Head of the Sports Office of the Defence General Staff, Colonel Stefano Bianca, for the spirit of collaboration that enabled the achievement of this important mission.”
