Afghan wrestler Ismail Kakar wins silver at international tournament in Paris

KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — Afghan wrestler Ismail Kakar has secured a silver medal at a major international Sambo-Kurash competition held in Paris, marking another strong showing for Afghanistan in the global martial arts arena.

The event, held on July 22, brought together athletes from 25 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Kakar earned the runner-up title after defeating competitors from Congo, France, and Tajikistan in successive rounds.

In recognition of his performance, he was awarded a silver medal along with a cash prize of 2,000 euros.

The tournament was part of the Uzbekistan President’s Prize series, one of the sport’s more prominent international competitions. Kakar’s achievement adds to a growing list of accomplishments by Afghan athletes on the world stage, despite the limited resources and challenges facing the country’s sports sector.

Just a week earlier, Kakar claimed three gold medals at the Berlin Club Championships, even while recovering from a shoulder injury—highlighting both his resilience and consistency as a competitor.

His recent victories are being celebrated as a source of national pride and a symbol of hope for Afghanistan’s younger generation. Sports officials and fans alike view such moments as a powerful reminder of what Afghan athletes can achieve under difficult circumstances.

As the sport of Kurash continues to grow in popularity in Central and South Asia, Kakar’s success is likely to inspire more youth in Afghanistan to take up martial arts and pursue athletic excellence.