ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Competitors gathered along the banks of the Great Zab River on Friday for an annual mini-Olympics in Duhok province’s Bardarash district, competing in strength games and water challenges.
Now in its third year, the event drew participants of all ages from across the southeastern district to test their skills in tug-of-war, freestyle swimming, river plunging, and underwater endurance.
On the riverbanks, teams squared off in tug-of-war matches, where leverage and foot traction proved decisive.
"This is the second year in a row that we have taken first place," Ahmad Yaro, a member of the winning tug-of-war team, told Rudaw’s Hayder Doski.
"This festival is wonderful and very special. I hope they [organizers] develop it further so that more people [from outside Bardarash] join,” he added.
In the river, competitors faced off in an underwater endurance contest, testing how long they could remain submerged.
"Thank God, this time too I won first place like the previous years - maybe because I don't smoke cigarettes or shisha," said winner Sulaiman Adam, who emerged victorious after staying submerged for two minutes. "No one was left, otherwise I could have stayed for three minutes."
The competition ran for two hours before concluding with an awards ceremony honoring the top performers in each event.
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