Wrestling’s world governing body has announced that Kazakhstan's capital Astana will host the world championships next year.
United World Wrestling (UWW) said the 2019 tournament will be held from September 14-22 at the Daulet Arena.
"I have every confidence that Astana will deliver an excellent event for our athletes, coaches, and fans," UWW president Nenad Lalovic said in a statement on September 24.
"The Wrestling World Championships are a major event and will help popularize wrestling in Kazakhstan and the region," Kazakhstan Wrestling Federation president Sauat Mynbayev said in a statement.
The 2019 world championships will serve as the first qualifying meet for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The top six finishers in each Olympic weight category in Astana will secure an Olympic qualification for their country.
Astana hosted the Asian championships in 2014 and the Asian Olympic qualifier in 2016.
This year's world wrestling tournament will be held next month in Budapest, Hungary.
