Turpan, March 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: The 2025 International Wrestling Challenge Tournament commenced on Saturday afternoon in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bringing together top-tier wrestlers from multiple countries.
The tournament features five weight categories—65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, and 125kg—with six teams from China’s Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Cuba competing. A total of 73 athletes, including several Olympic-level wrestlers, are participating in the event.
Among the notable competitors is Arturo Silot Torres, a Cuban wrestler who represented his country in the 97kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024. Competing in Xinjiang for the first time, Torres expressed enthusiasm about the experience.
“I’m very happy to train and compete with high-level athletes of different styles. It’s been very helpful for my progress,” said Torres. “I hope there will be more opportunities for us to exchange and improve together in the future.”
Deputy Director of the Xinjiang Combat Sports Training Center, Adil Balat, highlighted the tournament’s broader objective.
“The purpose of this tournament is to strengthen international sports cooperation and enhance athletes’ ability to handle high-pressure competitions,” he stated.
The tournament is expected to foster sports diplomacy and athletic excellence, offering participants a platform to compete at elite levels while promoting cultural and sporting exchange.
