KHUJAND, April 18, 2011, Asia-Plus -- On Sunday April 17, athletes from the Sughd Youth School of Martial Arts climbed the Mount Muzbek (1,264 meter above sea level) in Mogoltau.  The ascension was reportedly dedicated to Vladimir Lenin’s birthday.

Gennady Nabiyev, president of the Sughd Federation of Marti Arts, says 18 athletes and their coaches participated in the ascension.

“In 1957, local sculpture Arvid Kravinsky carved Vladimir Lenin bas-relief on the rock on the Mount Muzbek and athletes were ascending to that bas-relief during eight hours in order to lay flowers,” said Nabiyev.  “Besides, the national flag of Tajikistan was hoisted on the mount on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence.”