STORY: Archers on horseback, eagle tamers and teams in the saddle locked in fierce contests of strength drew competitors and spectators from around the world to Kyrgyzstan's World Nomad Games this week.

Set against the mountains of the Issyk-Kul region, the international event celebrated the sporting traditions of Central Asia's nomadic peoples, with competitors taking part in a range of events that blend athletic skill with centuries-old customs.

Athletes from 104 countries have registered, organisers said, for the sixth edition of the World Nomad Games, which were founded in 2014.

Participants this year flew from all corners of the world, including Australia, Brazil, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, India, Iran, China, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.

Male and female archers fired at distant targets while horse-riding archers galloped across the arena, releasing arrows at full speed in one of the games' most visually striking disciplines.

Near the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, athletes competed in kok-boru, the traditional equestrian sport often described as Central Asia's answer to polo. In this game, horsemen compete for a goat carcass - or a replica - attempting to throw it into the opponent's goal, which is represented by a large cauldron.

Teams from several countries also faced off in tug-of-war contests, including a Brazilian squad that joined competitors from across the globe at the gathering.

Other events highlighted tests of strength and falconry rooted in nomadic culture. Some participants competed in hunting with golden eagles, while others took part in a cattle vertebrae breaking competition.

The World Nomad Games are a cultural and sporting festival centred on traditional nomadic sports, particularly those of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: ISSYK-KUL REGION, KYRGYZSTAN (SEPTEMBER 1-3, 2026) (NOMAD - Access all)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE FOOTAGE OF NOMAD GAMES CAMP IN KYRCHYN GORGE

2. VARIOUS OF MALE ARCHERS' COMPETITION

3. VARIOUS OF MALE HORSE-RIDING ARCHERS' COMPETITION

4. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF MALE HORSE-RIDING ARCHERS SHOT IN SLOW MOTION

5. VARIOUS OF FEMALE ARCHERS' COMPETITION

6. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF FEMALE HORSE-RIDING ARCHERS' COMPETITION

7. (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF RACETRACK AND SAND ARENA AREA NEAR ISSYK-KUL LAKE

8. VARIOUS OF KOK-BORU GAME (TRADITIONAL ETHNIC EQUESTRIAN GAME OF NOMADIC PEOPLES OF CENTRAL ASIA WITH REAL OR FAKE GOAT CARCASS) BETWEEN U.S. AND KYRGYZ TEAMS

9. REFEREE BLOWING WHISTLE

10. VARIOUS OF TUG-OF-WAR COMPETITIONS

11. TUG-OF-WAR TEAM FROM BRAZIL

12. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF CATTLE VERTEBRAE BREAKING COMPETITION SHOT IN SLOW MOTION

13. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF HUNTING WITH GOLDEN EAGLES COMPETITION

14. VARIOUS OF NOMAD GAMES VISITORS DANCING