Ippon victory: Kazakhstan secures its first Asian judo gold since 2022
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The second day of the 2026 Asian Judo Championships in Ordos, China, was marked by a historic victory of Kazakhstan's Adilet Almat, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Competing in the under-81kg weight category, Kazakh judoka Adilet Almat faced 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist Somon Makhmadbekov of Tajikistan in the final. Almat secured the gold by scoring an ippon with a submission hold (armbar).
It is worth noting that this win marks Kazakhstan's first gold medal at the Asian Judo Championships in four years. The last major continental gold was achieved by Daniyar Shamshayev at the 2022 Asian Judo Championships in Astana.
For Adilet Almat, this is his first major title at the senior level, following his success as the 2023 Asian Junior Champion. On his path to the final, Almat defeated Chyngyzkhan Sagynaliev (Kyrgyzstan), compatriot Abylaikhan Zhubanazar (Kazakhstan), and Behruzi Khojazoda (Tajikistan).
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Kazakhstan hauls another gold at Asian U20 Wrestling Championships
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Kazakhstan’s wrestling team added four more medals to its tally at the Asian U20 Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, Qazinform News Agency cites the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The latest day of competition marked the final medal events in women’s wrestling and the start of freestyle action.
Maiis Aliyev (-70 kg) claimed the gold medal.
Yelaman Amangeldy (-57 kg), Altyn Shagayeva (-57 kg), and Tynys Dubek (-62 kg) each contributed silver medals to Kazakhstan’s tally.
Kazakhstan’s national team has now collected 16 medals overall - four gold, eight silver, and four bronze.
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Kazakh wrestlers claim two gold medals at Asian U20 Wrestling Championships
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The Asian U20 Wrestling Championships kicked off in Da Nang, Vietnam, Qazinform News Agency cites the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s Greco-Roman wrestlers made a strong start to the tournament, winning two gold, three silver, and one bronze medal on the opening day.
Aibek Aitbekov (-60 kg) and Islam Yevloyev (-97 kg) claimed gold medals.
Silver medals went to Ibrokhim Nurmukhammad (-72 kg), Alikhan Dursunov (-77 kg), and Jokhar Uzarov (-130 kg).
Kirill Minko (-82 kg) finished with a bronze medal.
The Asian U20 Wrestling Championships will continue through June 1.
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Nazym Makhmutova secures bronze at Asian Taekwondo Championships
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Kazakh taekwondo athlete Nazym Makhmutova claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Qazinform News Agency cites the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh athlete finished third in the women’s under-73 kg weight category.
In the semifinals, Makhmutova faced China’s Song Jie. The Chinese athlete secured a 2–1 victory to advance to the final.
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Official Presentation of the World Table Tennis Championship to Take Place in Astana
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On May 20, 2026, Astana will host the official presentation of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Astana 2027.
The event will take place at the ADD Table Tennis Center Astana and will bring together representatives of government agencies, international and Kazakhstani media, the sports community, business sector, tourism industry, and creative industries, ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Astana 2027 reports.
The presentation will mark the official launch of Kazakhstan’s international campaign in preparation for hosting the world championship under the auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and will further reinforce Astana’s status as a modern venue for major international sporting and business events.
The program will feature the presentation of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) flag, the premiere screening of the official Astana 2027 promotional video, the unveiling of the tournament concept, as well as speeches by the leadership of the Table Tennis Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Organizing Committee of the Championships. In addition, guests will be introduced to upcoming sponsorship and tourism programs, initiatives aimed at engaging artisans and representatives of the creative industries, as well as a competition for the development of the official championship mascots.
Table tennis master classes will also be organized for participants of the event. Hosting the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Astana 2027 will represent an important step in strengthening international sports cooperation, developing event tourism, and promoting Kazakhstan’s image on the global stage.
Date: May 20, 2026
Time: 14:00-15:00 - Guest arrival, master class demonstrations, coffee break 15:00-16:00 - Official event program
Venue: ADD Table Tennis Center Astana, 47/1 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Number of participants: 150
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Two records fall at Kazakhstan Swimming Championships as national stars shine
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Kazakhstan’s top swimmers delivered standout performances at the 2026 Summer National Swimming Championships in Taldykorgan, where two national records were broken on the opening day of competition, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The tournament has brought together 372 athletes from 17 regions across the country, including 229 men and 143 women. The event is officially recognized by World Aquatics and serves as a key qualifying competition for major international events later this year.
Results from the championship will determine selection for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m) 2026, scheduled to take place in China in December, as well as the Youth Olympic Games 2026 in Senegal this autumn.
The high stakes have also attracted international participation, with teams from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan joining the competition.
The opening day saw two national records broken in the pool, with Gleb Kovalenya setting a new Kazakhstan record in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 22.06 seconds, and Xeniya Ignatova broke the national record in the 200-meter individual medley, finishing in 2:17.40.
Despite the record-breaking performances, the competition largely followed expectations. Kazakhstan’s leading swimmers - Sofia Spodarenko, Adilbek Mussin, and Xeniya Ignatova - all secured comfortable victories in their signature events, underlining their dominance on the national stage.
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