URUMQI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 International Wrestling Challenge Tournament opened Saturday afternoon in Turpan, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The competition features five weight categories -65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, and 125kg. Six teams from China's Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Cuba are competing, with 73 athletes participating, including several Olympic-level wrestlers.

Arturo Silot Torres, who represented Cuba in the 97kg category at the Paris Olympics last year, is competing in Xinjiang for the first time.

"I'm very happy to train and compete with high-level athletes of different styles. It's been very helpful for my progress," said the Cuban. "I hope there will be more opportunities for us to exchange and improve together in the future."

"The purpose of this tournament is to strengthen international sports cooperation and enhance athletes' ability to handle high-pressure competitions," said Adil Balat, deputy director of the Xinjiang Combat Sports Training Center. Enditem