Battle for Qazaqstan Barysy golden belt begins in Astana
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The 15th anniversary Qazaqstan Barysy 2026 super tournament in qazaq kuresi has begun at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana, according to the official website of the city administration.
Forty wrestlers from all regions of Kazakhstan, as well as medalists from the Asker Barysy tournament, are competing for the golden belt and the Taituyaq challenge trophy.
One of the main highlights of the tournament is the participation of three former golden belt winners: 2017 champion Yelaman Yergaliyev, 2021 winner Dauren Nuralinov and 2023 champion Galymzhan Kyrykbai.
Among the favourites is also Kaisar Shamshidinov, the 2025 Asian qazaq kuresi champion in the over-100 kg category and winner of Turkistan Barysy 2026.
Other competitors include three-time Qazaqstan Barysy medalist and Asian and world champion Nurdaulet Zharylgapov, Qazaqstan Barysy 2024 bronze medalist Sayat Shamshiyev and Astana representative Olzhas Shynkeyev.
The Asker Barysy team is represented by Aidar Beskempir and Adil Orazbayev, who finished first and second respectively in the 2026 qualifying tournament.
The new holder of the Qazaqstan Barysy golden belt and the Taituyaq trophy will be determined following today’s bouts.
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Elena Rybakina Becomes World No 1 for the First Time
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Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has become the world No 1 in women’s singles for the first time in her career, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation reported.
Following the latest update to the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, Rybakina tops the standings with 9,901 points. She climbed from second to first place, overtaking Aryna Sabalenka, who has 7,875 points. American Jessica Pegula is third with 7,265 points.
The 2026 US Open proved decisive in the battle for the top spot. Rybakina secured the No 1 ranking by defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen to reach the semi-finals, regardless of her results in the remainder of the tournament.
Rybakina went on not only to claim the top ranking but also to win the US Open, defeating Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final.
It was Rybakina’s first US Open title and the third Grand Slam title of her career.
The 27-year-old became the 30th player in WTA history to reach the top of the world rankings. She is also the first player representing Kazakhstan, male or female, to become world No 1 in singles.
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Elena Rybakina wins first US Open title and claims world No. 1 ranking
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Kazakhstan’s top-ranked tennis player Elena Rybakina has won the US Open for the first time in her career, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation said.
Following the tournament, Rybakina will also rise to No. 1 in the WTA world rankings for the first time.
In the final, Rybakina defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a match lasting two hours and 23 minutes.
The Kazakh player fired 12 aces, committed five double faults and converted three of her 12 break-point opportunities.
The US Open title is Rybakina’s third Grand Slam singles trophy. She won her first major at Wimbledon in 2022. Earlier in 2026, she claimed the Australian Open title before adding the US Open trophy to her collection.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Rybakina on her historic victory.
"This remarkable achievement is clear confirmation that you have deservedly earned the title of world No. 1. Once again, you have demonstrated true professionalism, determination and impeccable conduct on the court. All of Kazakhstan is proud of your achievements! May this impressive victory inspire you to further sporting success, and may your skill serve as an example to all young tennis players in Kazakhstan," the president said in his congratulatory message.
President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Bulat Utemuratov also congratulated Rybakina on her victory.
"This is a tremendous victory for Elena and a historic day for Kazakh tennis. I thank Elena for once again giving everything in the fight and demonstrating the highest level of tennis on one of the world’s biggest stages. Elena continues to embody the successful development of tennis in our country, and her rise to the very top of world tennis will be a powerful source of inspiration for the younger generation of Kazakh players, whom we will continue to support in every possible way," Utemuratov said.
The US Open victory marks another historic achievement for Rybakina in the 2026 season. Following the tournament, she will become world No. 1 for the first time in her career.
Rybakina is the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach No. 1 in the world singles rankings.
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Gennady Golovkin elected vice-president of Islamic Solidarity Sports Association
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Gennady Golovkin, president of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee, has been elected vice-president of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), the committee said.
The election took place on Sept. 12 during the organisation’s 15th General Assembly in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Golovkin was elected to the ISSA Executive Committee for the 2026-2029 term and will serve as vice-president representing the Asia and Europe region.
Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, was re-elected as president of the association.
Golovkin has headed Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee since February 2024. In November 2025, he was also elected president of World Boxing, becoming the first representative of Kazakhstan to lead an international federation governing an Olympic sport.
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Mikhail Shaidorov Set for First International Event Since Olympic Triumph
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Olympic figure skating champion Mikhail Shaidorov will compete at the Nepela Memorial in Bratislava, marking his first international event since winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee said.
The tournament will be held in the Slovak capital from Sept. 24 to 27 as part of the 2026-27 ISU Challenger Series.
Shaidorov is entered in the men’s singles event. The preliminary roster includes 29 skaters.
In February, Shaidorov won gold at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Kazakh skater scored a combined 291.58 points in the short program and free skate.
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Historic triumph: Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina becomes world No. 1
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Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina has topped the WTA world rankings for the first time in her career. She has become the first representative of Kazakhstan to reach world No. 1 in singles, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation said.
Rybakina moved into first place after reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 US Open. She overtook Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA live rankings. The updated official rankings will be published on Monday, 14 September.
No Kazakh player, male or female, had previously reached world No. 1 in the singles rankings.
Reaching the top of the WTA rankings marks another milestone in Rybakina's career. She has won 13 WTA singles titles, including two Grand Slam championships. She won Wimbledon in 2022 and became Australian Open champion in 2026.
Rybakina also won the WTA Finals in Riyadh in 2025. The Kazakh player went unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all five of her matches and defeating then-world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Rybakina has also won two WTA 1000 titles, at Indian Wells and Rome in 2023. She has six WTA 500 titles and two WTA 250 titles. She claimed her first professional tour title in Bucharest in 2019.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the tennis player on becoming world No. 1.
"Reaching the top of the WTA rankings is the pinnacle of sporting achievement, which you have attained thanks to your phenomenal talent, tremendous hard work and unwavering belief in yourself. With this historic achievement, you have brought glory to Kazakh sport and written your name into the history of world tennis. Your journey is an inspiring example for thousands of young athletes in our country and millions of tennis fans around the world. I would also like to highlight the exemplary way you conduct yourself both on the court and in public when interacting with people from all walks of life, which clearly reflects your intelligence and upbringing," the congratulatory message said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wished Elena Rybakina continued champion's determination and success in reaching new heights.
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Kazakhstan Tops Medal Table at Sixth World Nomad Games
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Kazakhstan finished first in the overall medal standings at the Sixth World Nomad Games, according to Askat Alagozov, press secretary to the president of Kyrgyzstan.
Alagozov said a technical discrepancy had emerged during the medal count. The Organising Committee decided to count the medals won by each of three Kazakh athletes separately, moving Kazakhstan into first place in the overall standings.
"Today, the Organising Committee decided to count the medals of each of the three Kazakh athletes separately. As a result, Kazakhstan took first place in the overall team standings. Congratulations to our Kazakh brothers on their victory!" Alagozov wrote.
He also said the Sixth World Nomad Games had been held to a high standard, highlighting the kok-boru and zher-ulak competitions between the teams of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
According to Alagozov, the rivalry between the athletes remained strictly on the field, with no disagreements arising between supporters.
Kazakhstan won a total of 74 medals at the Games: 32 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze.
Kazakh athletes won medals in audaryspak, zhamby atu, qazaq kuresi, alysh, arm wrestling, tug of war, togyzkumalak, mangala, traditional archery, horse racing and other traditional sports.
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Kazakhstan Wins 74 Medals as World Nomad Games Conclude in Kyrgyzstan
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The VI World Nomad Games have concluded in Kyrgyzstan, with Kazakhstan winning 74 medals, the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports.
The Kazakh team finished the Games with 32 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze medals.
Kazakh athletes won gold and other medals in audaryspak, zhamby atu, qazaq kuresi, alysh, arm wrestling, tug of war, togyzkumalak, mangala, traditional archery, horse racing and other traditional sports.
According to Kazakhstan’s Tourism and Sports Ministry, the country won more gold medals than Kyrgyzstan, which claimed 30. Russia ranked third by the number of gold medals, with seven.
However, in the medal table published by the Games organisers, Kazakhstan was listed in second place behind Kyrgyzstan.
Around 3,000 athletes from 113 countries took part in the VI World Nomad Games, held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6.
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