Uzbekistan's ancient city of Khiva recently hosted the Ethnosport Culture Festival for the first time. The event saw hundreds of participants from over 40 countries competing in traditional sports activities, some of which are not so commonly known. Among them was Uzbekistan's own Kurash, or traditional wrestling, which will be part of the upcoming 19th Asian Games. CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic has more.

Welcome to Khiva.

It is the 21st century, but it feels like time has stood still here for half a millenia.

From the streets and buildings retaining ancient architecture, to children playing old-time games, to the people in traditional clothes, all spiced up with a lot of tourists from all four corners of the world.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC Khiva, Uzbekistan "This is an amazing place, dating back to the early 16th century. It gives a perfect setting for the ethno-sports festival that celebrates tradition, sidelined by prevailing modernity."

Many sports from a by-gone era have withstood the test of time here, such as mas-wrestling, ancient archery, and of course, Kurash.

It has been recognized as a national sport here in Uzbekistan. Its origins go back some three and a half thousand years.

However, Kurash was only internationally recognized in 2007.

KHUSHNUD HADJIYEV Senior Specialist Khorezm Kurash Federation "Kurash is an ancient traditional wrestling style made famous by the Kurash master Pahlavan Mahmud of Khorezm, who was well known during his time, for his unmatched skills in wrestling."

Today, Kurash is widely promoted under a presidential decree, which aims to have the sport included in the Olympic Games by 2028."

And here is how the Kurash fight looks at the main arena in Khiva.

Athletes fight to subdue their opponents while abiding by strict ancient rules.

It is intense, it is physical, but so captivating.

It is so captivating that I, myself, have accepted an invitation to face a young Khudoyshukur, a Kurash fighter from the junior category.

After the junior allowed me to save my face by throwing him once, he showed me the real strength of Kurash.

KHUDOYSHUKUR AMMATOV Kurash Wrestler "I am doing this primarily to stay fit, and I want to become a champion in this field in the future. I have found my life's calling and earned the respect of my peers."

Young Khudoyshukur might become a Kurash champion one day.

But more importantly, he is a testament to the fact that there are more young people who want to keep this ancient tradition alive and going. Aljoša Milenković, CGTN, Khiva.