On November 1, the 17th Belt Wrestling Championships for men and women at least 18 years old in freestyle and classic styles started in Kazan on the site of the Ak Bars Martial Arts Palace. The tournament brought together more than 200 athletes from about 40 countries. Men participated in the weight categories of 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, 75 kg, 82 kg, 90 kg, 100 kg and over 100 kg. Women performed in the weight of 52 kg, 58 kg, 66 kg, 76 kg and over 76 kg. Traditionally, one of the most representative and numerous was the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan at the championship. The opening ceremony of the competition was attended by the Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, the President of the Belt Wrestling Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Akhmetov, the President of the International Belt Wrestling Association, Rafik Valiev, the President of the International Swimming Federation Julio Maglione, and the Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov.