At the 2026 World Nomad Games in Bishkek, Mongolia once again proved that it dominates a centuries-old discipline—using its bare hands.

A discipline born in the steppes

In early September 2026, more than 3,000 athletes from 89 countries gathered in Kyrgyzstan for the 6th edition of the World Nomad Games, a biennial competition that brings to life the traditional sports of Central Asian nomadic peoples: horse wrestling, archery, goat carcass polo... and an even more unusual discipline, Seer Shalgaan Naadam (also called Seer khukhalkha), or "bone breaking."

The concept is simple to describe, but daunting to execute: breaking a bovine vertebra in a single blow, with bare hands. It is a tradition born among Buryat and Mongol peoples, long practiced at folk festivals to measure a man's raw strength.

This year, the Mongolian team once again dominated the event, finishing first in the team standings with 103 points. The individual title champion broke 58 bones in a single minute—a figure that earned the respect of the seven nations participating in the competition, including Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Strength that cannot be improvised

Breaking a bone in one strike is no one-off feat. Behind every competitor are years of training grip, wrist, and forearm strength—work repeated day after day in the same steppes and mountains that gave birth to this discipline.

It is also from this region—the highlands and mountains of Mongolia, including the Altai range—that shilajit originates, a mineral resin traditionally used by local populations to support physical exertion and recovery in an environment where the body is tested daily.

Important clarification: we are not claiming that the Mongolian athletes at the World Nomad Games consume shilajit—we have no information on this matter. What their discipline illustrates is an ancient and demanding relationship with physical strength, in a region where several traditions of vitality—including that of shilajit—have been passed down for generations.

Shilajit, a traditional ally for exertion

As European health authorities remind us, shilajit does not currently benefit from any recognized health claims at the European level. It will not make anyone capable of breaking 58 bones in a minute. Its use is based on an ancient tradition—not on scientifically validated and consensual efficacy.

What we can guarantee, however, is that ours comes directly from the Altai region, that it is tested by Eurofins and TÜV SÜD laboratories for purity, and that every batch is traceable.

In summary

The World Nomad Games remind us of the same thing every edition: in the steppes of Central Asia, strength and endurance are a culture, not an accessory. A culture that shilajit, originating from the same region, has been a part of for centuries.

This article is informative and does not constitute a health claim. Shilajit has no proven effect on athletic performance; consult a healthcare professional before any supplementation.

Sources: Euronews (September 7, 2026), AKIPress, Kabar.kg—coverage of Seer Shalgaan Naadam at the 2026 World Nomad Games, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.