Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 12 June, the ancient city of Khiva hosted the grand opening of the fifth edition of the Pahlavon Mahmud Strongmen Games, an international strength tournament that has drawn athletes and spectators from around the world.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Committee for Tourism, the administrations of Khorezm Region and the city of Khiva, officials from the International Strongman Federation, athletes, members of the media, and numerous guests and local residents.

Elite strongmen from nearly 20 countries have begun competing in the first two events of the tournament — challenging tests of raw power and endurance.

In a debut discipline featured in this year’s opening stage, participants must hoist a 200-kilogram sandbag onto a traditional Kokand cart and transport it over a 20-meter distance as quickly as possible.

The competition is designed not only to assess pure strength, but also to test each athlete’s agility, reflexes, and overall stamina.

This vibrant sporting event is expected to be a celebration of international sportsmanship and cultural exchange, while also promoting traditional strength-based disciplines and enhancing Uzbekistan’s image as a host of global athletic events.