Kazakhstan wins first gold at 2025 World University Games

After a flurry of bronze medals in the opening days of the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, Kazakhstan has finally claimed its first gold. Taekwondo athlete Samirkhon Ababakirov took the top spot in the men’s 63 kg weight class.
Gold at last!
To reach the final, Ababakirov defeated Israel’s Ori Torgeman, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alqumizi, Canada’s Yohan Chang and Tunisia’s Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi. In the championship bout, he delivered a commanding performance against Turkey’s Omer Dayioglu to secure gold — a brilliant victory.
Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t carry over for the rest of Kazakhstan’s taekwondo team. Aidana Sundetbay (53 kg) and Nazym Makhmutova (73 kg) were both stopped in the quarterfinals. Sundetbay fell to eventual bronze medalist Yeowon Seo of South Korea, while Makhmutova lost to eventual champion Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar of Turkey.
Notably, Taekwondo remains Kazakhstan’s most successful sport at these games, contributing six of the nation’s seven medals. The only non-taekwondo medal for Kazakhstan so far came from gymnast Aibota Yertaikyzy. Athletes from other disciplines have yet to reach the podium.
Other results
Fencing. Adema Serikbay, Polina Ko and Kaisha Zhanybek were defeated 45-25 by Italy in the team sabre tournament. The Italian team went on to claim bronze, while South Korea edged France 45-43 in an exciting final.
Table tennis. Aidos Kenzhigulov lost in the second round to Feng Yi-Hsin of Chinese Taipei, 1-4 (6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 6-11). Zauresh Akasheva suffered a narrow seven-set defeat to Japan’s Sakura Aoi, 3-4 (9-11, 15-13, 1-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-8, 5-11).
Badminton. Makhsut Tajibullayev fell to Japan’s Kosuke Masumoto in the first round, 0-2 (9-15, 5-15). In mixed doubles, Tajibullayev and Dilyara Jumadilova lost to Germany’s Jonathan Dresp and Thuc Phuong Nguyen, 0-2 (5-15, 6-15).
Swimming. Gleb Kovalenya finished last in his 50-meter freestyle heat and did not advance to the semifinals.
On the track, Maxim Frolovskiy placed 11th in his 1,500-meter heat and did not qualify for the final. Alexandra Zalyubovskaya clocked 53.15 seconds in the 400-meter semifinal, just shy of the 52.44 required to reach the final.

Medal standings and participation
After six days of competition, the top three spots remain unchanged: the U.S., China and South Korea lead the medal standings. Kazakhstan, with one gold and six bronze medals, has climbed from 31st to 21st place. So far, athletes from 41 countries have earned medals.
The 2025 World University Games, organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), began on July 16 in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region. Events are being held in Duisburg, Bochum, Essen, Hagen, Mülheim and Berlin across 18 sports.
More than 8,500 athletes from 160 countries are competing. Kazakhstan is represented by 75 student-athletes across 12 sports: badminton, rowing, judo, athletics, table tennis, swimming, taekwondo, artistic gymnastics, archery, tennis, fencing and rhythmic gymnastics.
The games will conclude on July 27.