Jean-Claude Van Damme is expected to attend the UIM F1H2O Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan at Issyk-Kul this weekend. The Belgian actor’s visit was announced by Aibek Abylkasymov, president of Kyrgyzstan’s Water Motor Sports Federation, at a media day press conference in Bishkek on Wednesday.
The Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan is round two of the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship and the first the series has held in Central Asia, running from July 31 to August 2 at Lake Issyk-Kul. Teams have already flagged the lake’s 1,600-metre altitude as a factor in this weekend’s racing.
Abylkasymov said invitations had also gone out to actor Jackie Chan and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, though neither has confirmed.
Attribution: Aibek Abylkasymov, president of Kyrgyzstan’s Water Motor Sports Federation
We have sent the invitation several times. There are no guarantees yet, but we hope for a positive response.
Van Damme’s attendance is further along. Abylkasymov said a flight from Madrid had already been booked to bring the actor to Kyrgyzstan for the race weekend.
Who Is Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme, born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg on October 18, 1960, in Brussels, Belgium, took up Shotokan karate as a child and went on to compete at European level before moving into film. He built his early career on martial arts and bodybuilding, earning the nickname “The Muscles from Brussels” long before he was known to Hollywood.
Bloodsport, released in 1988, gave Van Damme his first leading role and turned him into an action star. Kickboxer, Universal Soldier, Double Impact and Timecop followed through the late 1980s and 1990s, and he later returned to acclaim with a self-referential turn in JCVD in 2008. He remains one of the most recognisable martial arts actors of his generation.
Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan
Everything you need to know about round two of the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship at Issyk-Kul.
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John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
