Thrilling traditional sports festival unfolds in Xinjiang

A traditional sports festival for farmers and herders kicked off with great excitement in Xingping Town, Yuli County, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. More than 4,000 spectators gathered to witness thrilling competitions, including horse racing, goat grabbing (buzkashi), and ram fighting. Riders from across Xinjiang brought more than 100 horses to participate in the event.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-17/Thrilling-traditional-sports-festival-unfolds-in-Xinjiang-1B41xcjSXPW/img/f1c8ad6dc8d14876a85f6ff36fd42fdc/f1c8ad6dc8d14876a85f6ff36fd42fdc.jpeg'
Riders are pictured at a goat-grabbing (buzkashi) event at a traditional sports festival for farmers and herders held in Yuli County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on February 16, 2025. /IC
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-17/Thrilling-traditional-sports-festival-unfolds-in-Xinjiang-1B41xcjSXPW/img/f1c8ad6dc8d14876a85f6ff36fd42fdc/f1c8ad6dc8d14876a85f6ff36fd42fdc.jpeg'
Riders are pictured at a goat-grabbing (buzkashi) event at a traditional sports festival for farmers and herders held in Yuli County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on February 16, 2025. /IC

Horse racing has long been a beloved sport among Xinjiang’s diverse ethnic groups, playing a vital role in local cultural life. The event showcased various equestrian competitions, with buzkashi standing out as the highlight.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-17/Thrilling-traditional-sports-festival-unfolds-in-Xinjiang-1B41xcjSXPW/img/5590fe9d643447a7ab6039371841dc43/5590fe9d643447a7ab6039371841dc43.jpeg'
Riders are pictured at a traditional sports festival for farmers and herders held in Yuli County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on February 16, 2025. /IC
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-17/Thrilling-traditional-sports-festival-unfolds-in-Xinjiang-1B41xcjSXPW/img/5590fe9d643447a7ab6039371841dc43/5590fe9d643447a7ab6039371841dc43.jpeg'
Riders are pictured at a traditional sports festival for farmers and herders held in Yuli County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on February 16, 2025. /IC

In the ram fighting contest, two rams of similar size were led into the arena. Once the match began, they engaged in a fierce showdown, testing not only their strength, courage, and combat skills but also the expertise of their owners in training and care.

Beyond the excitement, the festival promotes fitness, enriches the cultural life of farmers and herders, and fosters the integration of sports and tourism. It also offers a vivid display of the harmony between the pastoral lifestyle and nature.

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