VII Asian Winter Games opened
Almaty. January 31. Kazakhstan Today - The opening ceremony of VII Asian Winter Games was held yesterday in the sports center Astana-Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan Today reports.
The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Roza Otunbaeva, the President of the Olympic Committee of Asia Sheikh Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge with the spouse, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan were at the opening ceremony.
The games will be held on January 30 - February 6 in Astana and Almaty. The program includes 11 sport events, in which 69 sets of medals will be awarded. The closing ceremony will be held in Almaty in the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace.
The program in particular comprises speed-skating, figure-skating, ice-hockey, bandy, biathlon.
The next General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia with participation of the delegates from 45 Asian countries will be held within the VII Asian Winter Games.
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Officials Disciplined Following Dispute Over Mikhail Shaidorov's Contract
Images | gov.kz
Kazakhstan's Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov has commented on the controversy surrounding the contract of Olympic figure skating champion Mikhail Shaidorov, speaking at a government press briefing.
Executive managers on both sides failed to provide sufficient clarification. They have been subjected to administrative disciplinary measures," the minister said.
According to Myrzabossynov, shortcomings in communication between the parties led to the dispute.
The minister also stated that the issue concerning the athlete's contract has now been fully resolved.
The issue regarding Mikhail Shaidorov's contract has been completely settled. The terms of the agreement were explained, and the contract has been signed," he said.
Myrzabossynov noted that the agreement is a standard contract signed by all athletes, not only Olympic champions, and that the same rules apply to everyone. He added that the document was developed in line with international practices, recommendations from anti-doping organisations and requirements set by Kazakhstan's Supreme Audit Chamber.
The minister stressed that the contractual rules and conditions are uniform for all athletes.
Concluding his remarks, Myrzabossynov called for the issue to be considered closed, noting that athletes should now focus on preparing for the upcoming season.
Earlier, Shaidorov publicly reported disagreements with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports during negotiations over a new contract.
The athlete also said that after winning a historic gold medal in Milan, he and his coaching team faced a suspension of salary payments until a new agreement was signed and, according to him, lost part of their medical support services. Shaidorov claimed that the ministry had delayed the signing of the new contract and that communication on key issues had been inconsistent.
The ministry, meanwhile, stated that all state obligations related to rewarding Shaidorov for his victory at the 2026 Games had been fully met, including financial payments and all awards stipulated under existing regulations.
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Kazakhstan Sports Ministry Says New Contract Signed With Mikhail Shaidorov
Images | Sali Sabirov / olympic.kz
A new contract has been signed with Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports Serik Zharasbayev announced.
I would like to say right away that Mikhail Shaidorov is a legend of Kazakhstani sport, a person who has written his name in golden letters in the history of Kazakhstan's sports. We fully support Mikhail in all his endeavors and wish him only new major victories. As for the contract that has been widely discussed, I would like to note that Mikhail has signed it. The entire process was carried out within the legal framework. The parties reached mutual agreement, discussed all provisions, and as of today the contract has been signed," the vice minister said.
He clarified that the ministry immediately began processing the document after it was signed.
All obligations arising from this contract will be fulfilled, and all corresponding payments will be made," Serik Zharasbayev assured.
According to him, Shaidorov will travel to the United States in the coming days to prepare for the upcoming season.
I would also like to note that on June 5, Mikhail and his team will depart for the United States to continue preparations for the upcoming season," Zharasbayev added.
As previously reported, Olympic figure skating champion Mikhail Shaidorov had stated that disagreements had arisen with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports during negotiations over the terms of the contract.
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Kazakh Zeinolla Idrisov pockets silver at World Challenge Cup Series in Slovenia
Images | olympic.kz
Kazakh gymnast Zeinolla Idrisov claimed the silver medal at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Series 2026 in Koper, Slovenia, Qazinform News Agency learnt from the Kazakh National Olympic Committee.
Mateo Žugec from Croatia won gold scoring 14.166 points.
Zeinolla Idrisov took home silver with 14.133 points, while Joshua Nathan from the United Kingdom claimed bronze with 14.100 points.
Kazakh Nariman Kurbanov also reached the pommel horse final, finishing 7th with 13.233 points.
Zeinolla Idrisov’s silver medal marks the first award for Kazakhstan’s team at this tournament.
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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
Images | National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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
Images | olympic.kz
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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