Kazakhstan’s Nurkozha Kaipanov has won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the World Championships in Tirana, Albania, securing victory in a non-Olympic weight category after a decisive match against Japan’s Yoshinosuke Aoyagi, according to Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).
«In the final bout in the 70 kg weight category, he faced Japanese competitor Yoshinosuke Aoyagi. Kaipanov emerged victorious, winning the World Championship gold for the first time in his career,» the NOC stated.
This victory marks a career milestone for Kaipanov, who previously won silver in the same weight category at the World Championship held in Astana five years ago. In the 2022 and 2023 championships, Kaipanov lost to a Japanese opponent, leaving without medals, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Sports.
At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Kazakhstan earned seven medals. Judoka Yeldos Smetov claimed the country’s sole gold, while three silver medals went to Nariman Kurbanov (artistic gymnastics), Demeu Zhadrayev (Greco-Roman wrestling) and Nurbek Oralbay (boxing). Bronze medals were won by Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev in air rifle shooting, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev in judo and Nazym Kyzaibay in boxing.
