“Best warrior – 2026”: Uzbekistan’s servicemen secure another victory with record-breaking results in the United States
2026-03-21 09:10:00 / News
The competition was organized with the aim of strengthening international military cooperation and enhancing the prestige of service in special units. During the event, Uzbekistan’s servicemen competed against personnel from special units of the United States National Guard.
Throughout the competition, participants successfully completed 13 demanding events, including individual physical fitness tests (a fitness assessment consisting of 8 exercises), a complex obstacle course designed to test both physical and psychological endurance, a 15-kilometer night land navigation exercise, a 20-kilometer ruck march carrying a 20-kilogram load, combat and general knowledge tests, an essay writing task (no fewer than 500 words on military cooperation), artillery fire control, disassembly and reassembly of NATO-standard small arms and preparing them for combat use, live-fire shooting under various conditions, medical training, calling in helicopter support in an unfamiliar area followed by insertion to an objective via rope, as well as unexpected (surprise) tasks.
Notably, in the team event, Uzbekistan’s servicemen completed the 20-kilometer ruck march with a 20-kilogram load in 1 hour and 48 minutes. In individual performances, sergeant 3rd class Turdimurod Avlayev completed the obstacle course in 10 minutes and 34 seconds, while Junior sergeant Ilhom Salomov successfully finished the 15-kilometer night land navigation in 59 minutes. Importantly, records were broken in all of these events.
At the conclusion of the competition, the Uzbek servicemen were awarded a special prize. This is not their first achievement — since 2019, representatives of Uzbekistan have consistently participated in this competition, demonstrating clear superiority and securing top positions each year.
For reference: On March 22, the winners will be ceremonially welcomed in the capital at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport.
Department of information and mass communications
Ministry of defense