More than 2,000 athletes gathered at the Karate tournament "Ak Bars Cup" in Kazan.

      The international karate tournament "Ak Bars Cup" has started in Kazan. More than 2000 athletes from 16 countries have arrived in the capital of Tatarstan. The opening ceremony was attended by the first deputy minister of sports of Tatarstan Khalil Shaikhutdinov, the vice-president of the Karate Federation of Russia Oleg Koshelev, the president of the Karate Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan Iskander Shagin, and the chief judge of the competition Alexey Sorokin. Khalil Shaikhutdinov, addressing the participants, conveyed greetings from the leadership of the republic and noted that the tournament is being held in an international format for the fourth time. He emphasized the successes of Tatarstan athletes at the Russian and European levels and expressed confidence that with the expansion of international competitions, they will have more opportunities to represent the republic and the country at major events. Oleg Koshelev noted the high level of organization of the tournament and conveyed congratulations from the president of the Karate Federation of Russia Sergey Tsoi. He also expressed gratitude to the Karate Federation of Tatarstan for the teamwork that contributes to the development of karate both in the republic and beyond. Iskander Shagin thanked the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the Ministry of Sports of the republic for their constant support of the tournament and attention to its organization. The opening ceremony concluded with a speech by chief judge Alexey Sorokin, who declared the tournament open. The "Ak Bars Cup" has been held in Kazan since 2011 and has become one of the largest karate tournaments in Russia during this time. The competitions traditionally gather the strongest athletes and confirm the status of a major international venue. This year, representatives from CIS countries, as well as states from Asia and Africa, including Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Abkhazia, Bangladesh, Mali, Guinea, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Turkey are participating in the tournament.

      In 2025, the tournament gathered 2200 participants from 50 regions of Russia and 16 countries. Organizers hope that this year the "Ak Bars Cup" will be a significant event for athletes and spectators.

      Photo: press service of the organizers

      More news about the event:

      More than 2,000 athletes gathered at the karate tournament in Kazan

      The international karate tournament "Ak Bars Cup" has started in Kazan, gathering more than two thousand athletes from 16 countries. 09:34 12.04.2026 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      More than 2,000 athletes gathered at the karate tournament "Ak Bars Cup" in Kazan

      The international karate tournament "Ak Bars Cup" has started in Kazan, with more than 2000 athletes from 16 countries arriving in the capital of Tatarstan. 09:26 12.04.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      A festival and the Leningrad region Cup in karate is taking place in Kirovsk

      The Leningrad region Cup in karate has united more than 400 athletes. 17:38 11.04.2026 47Channel.Ru - Leningrad Region

      In the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Zainsk, the Easter service was held with special warmth and grace

      It was conducted by Father Rodion Sadykov, the rector of the church, acting as the dean of the Zainsk district.

      News of Zainsk

      On the night of April 11 to 12, Orthodox residents of Naberezhnye Chelny celebrated the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

      Chelny-Biz.Ru

      Easter is one of the brightest and most significant holidays, filled with deep meaning, family warmth, and centuries-old traditions.

      Menzelya

      The President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov named the key task of the Youth Forum "Bridge Moscow - Tatarstan" as the return of youth representatives who went to study in the capital of the country.

      IA Tatar-inform

      UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev was robbed in Italy. The fighter had his wallet, passport, and cleats, gifted to him by former Rubin player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, stolen.

      Business Online

      Dear citizens! From the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of the Republic of Tatarstan" came:

      Kamsko-Ustyinsky district

      A scientist from KFU - on how space helps a person study their native Earth

      "We used to climb onto the roof of a three-story house and watch rockets fly by."

      - Vladimir Mikhailovich,

      IA Tatar-inform

      Since April 1, subscriptions for the newspaper "Avangard" ("Tätësh tännäri") for the second half of 2026 have started.

      Tetyushskie Zori Newspaper

      The pop-jazz orchestra specially came to our city to support fundraising for the reconstruction of the monument to the liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster.

      New Kama Newspaper