The Asian U23 Wrestling Championships began in Vietnam over the weekend, with Kazakhstan’s national team winning 12 medals after the first two days of competition.
Greco-Roman wrestling
Kazakhstan’s Greco-Roman wrestlers claimed eight medals overall, including two golds won by Aibek Aitbekov (60 kg) and Islam Yevloyev (97 kg). In the finals, Aitbekov defeated India’s Suraj S., while Yevloyev overcame Kyrgyzstan’s Zhenish Zhumabekov.
Four other Kazakhstani wrestlers earned silver medals: Nurmukhammed Ibrahim (72 kg), Alikhan Dursunov (77 kg), Yerassyl Zhenis (87 kg) and Jokhar Uzarov (130 kg). In their respective finals, Ibrahim and Uzarov lost to Kyrgyzstan’s Yryskeldi Khamzaev and Nurbolot Toktogonov, while Dursunov and Zhenis were defeated by Uzbekistan’s Abdullo Aliyev and Rakhimzhon Uzokov.
Dias Nurakov (63 kg) and Kirill Minko (82 kg) added bronze medals to Kazakhstan’s tally.
Rauan Bekimov (55 kg) lost in the bronze-medal match, while Damir Ibrashov (67 kg) exited the tournament in the quarterfinals.
Kazakhstan finished third in the Greco-Roman team standings behind Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Women’s wrestling
Kazakhstan’s women’s team collected four medals: one gold, one silver and two bronze.
Shugyla Omirbek (55 kg) won the continental title after defeating Vietnam’s Thi Hien Dang in the final.
Alina Yertostik (76 kg) claimed silver, falling to India’s Kajal K. in the championship bout.
Laura Ganikyzy (50 kg) and Victoriia Khusainova (59 kg) each earned bronze medals.
Beibit Seidualy (68 kg) narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth.
Context
The Asian U23 Wrestling Championships are taking place in Da Nang, Vietnam, from May 23 to 26. A total of 30 sets of medals are being contested across Greco-Roman, freestyle and women’s wrestling. Kazakhstan is represented by 30 athletes.
