Tokyo 2020

Bishkek Announced as New Host of 2020 Asian Olympic Qualifier, Team China to Attend

Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 16:28 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 20) -- The executive board of United World Wrestling has approved Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan as the host of the 2020 Asian Olympic Qualifier. The competition will be held March 27-29.

Xi'an was originally scheduled to host the event, but the championship was reallocated in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus which is affecting several large cities in China.

"We are glad to see that the Kyrgyzstan government and the Kyrgyzstan Wrestling Federation were able to step in as a suitable replacement for this important event," said United World Wrestling president, Nenad Lalovic. "Moving an event this close to the competition date is not ideal, but we must consider the health of the athletes and ensure that everyone who wants to compete at the qualifiers has the opportunity."

Chinese wrestlers eligible to compete in the Olympic qualification event have been routed to Serbia where they are going through an extensive quarantine process. The athletes were evaluated by medical professionals in China before leaving and by local officials upon arrival in Serbia.

While in Serbia the Chinese wrestlers will be provided workout equipment, wrestling mats, and all other items necessary for a healthy training camp. From Belgrade the wrestlers will fly to Bishkek for the competition.

UWW Partners With Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan

Thursday, April 2, 2026 - 17:40 By United World Wrestling Press

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 2) -- The Asian Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from April 6-12 will bear the logo with a snow leopard. Being the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan, the animal holds significant reference in the culture of the country.

Like in wrestling, success isn't just about strength, it’s about the combination of power, precision, and an unbreakable mind. Snow leopard in the high-altitude "arenas" of 12 countries in Central and South Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, lives by these same rules.

United World Wrestling is partnering with the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan to promote the preservation of the animal of which around 300 adult individuals remain around the country.

With the Asian Championships in Bishkek, the tournament was the ideal opportunity to raise the awareness around the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan.

Snow Leopard Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2012. It conducts research across snow leopard habitats, implements community-based conservation programs, builds awareness and education, and assists government agencies in the Kyrgyz Republic in addressing policy issues pertaining to snow leopard conservation.

SLFK is the country partner of the International Snow Leopard Trust which was established in 1981 and is based in Seattle, US with the goal to protect the endangered snow leopard and its mountain ecosystem through a combination of advanced scientific research and community-based conservation programs.