Kazakhstani Bibisara Assaubayeva beats well-known grandmaster Sergey Karjakin
Images | kazsports.kz
World’s two-time blitz champion Bibissara Assaubayeva created a sensation at the ongoing Chess Stars International Tournament in Moscow after beating hot favorite of the competition Sergey Karjakin in the Rapid, Kazinform reports citing the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
The Russian chess player ranks among the world’s top grandmasters with 2,739 points.
According to commentators, Bibisara defeated Karjakin despite his bright defense scheme. Their match has already become a decoration of the event, in terms of emotional content and results.
In her previous interviews, Bibisara said she wants to play vs. Sergey Karjakin and Teimour Radjabov.
In turn, the Russian grandmaster stated he is not ashamed of being defeated only once at the tournament.
I lost to the world champion who plays very well," he said after the match.
World’s best chess players including Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sergey Karjakin, Alexander Grischuk, Teimour Radjabov, Raunak Sadhwani, Francisco Vallejo, Vladislav Artemiev, Kateryna Lagno and others gathered at the event with the prize fund of RUB15 million.
The Rapid took place on January 24-26, and the Blitz will be held on January 28-30.
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Two records fall at Kazakhstan Swimming Championships as national stars shine
Images | olympic.kz
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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Kazakhstani athlete claims bronze at Asian Throwing Championships
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Kazakhstan has secured its first medal at the Asian Throwing Championships in Mokpo, South Korea, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the National Olympic Committee.
Ivan Ivanov of Kazakhstan won bronze in the shot put at the continental championship. In his best attempt, the athlete recorded a throw of 19.41 meters.
Gold went to Hongfei Chen of China with a throw of 20.18 m. Silver was claimed by China's Chengyo Chen, who threw 19.64 m.
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Kazakhstan wins silver in women’s water polo at Asian Beach Games 2026
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Kazakhstan’s women’s water polo team claimed silver at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, finishing second behind the host nation, Qazinform News Agency cites the National Olympic Committee.
The tournament featured four teams and was played in a round-robin format. Both Kazakhstan and China entered the final round unbeaten, with gold decided in their head-to-head match.
Due to poor weather, the decisive game was moved indoors, where China secured a 3-1 victory.
The silver medal marks Kazakhstan’s fifth medal at the Games. Thailand took bronze.
Earlier, Kazakhstan’s jiu-jitsu team earned four medals, including one gold.
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Elena Rybakina fights back to win Madrid opener
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World No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan kicked off her WTA 1000 campaign in Madrid with a victory over Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Sports.kz.
The Kazakhstani athlete played against Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ranked 71st) and rallied to win in three sets: 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. The match lasted 2 hours and 29 minutes.
Thus, Elena Rybakina advances to the third round, where she will face China's Qinwen Zheng (world No. 36).
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Kazakhstan's Rybakina wins Stuttgart Open
Images | ktf.kz
Kazakhstan’s top-ranked player Elena Rybakina claimed the title at the WTA 500 clay tournament in Germany, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Rybakina delivered a confident performance throughout the match.
In the final, Rybakina defeated Czech player Karolina Muchova (world No. 12) in straight sets, 7:5, 6:1. The match lasted one hour and eighteen minutes.
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