Lifestyle

Photo of Kazakhstani female athlete goes viral worldwide

Иностранцы массово "переезжают" в Казахстан из-за одной фотографии спортсменки из ВКО
Photo: threads.com/@hay_nyash, photo editor: Milosh Muratovskiy

Jasmine Begalinova (hay_nyash), a female athlete from East Kazakhstan, has unexpectedly become a star on international social media. Photos of her sporting a striking hairstyle during a high jump competition went viral on Threads and Instagram within hours.

Посмотреть в Threads

Who is she?

Begalinova is a well-known young athlete in Kazakhstan. On Feb. 19, 2026, she won silver at the Kazakhstan U18/U20 Junior Track and Field Championships. However, her rise to international fame began on social media after she introduced herself in a post on Threads, which quickly went viral.

«I live in Kazakhstan and I am Kazakh. I love my homeland very much. I participate in track and field, and my discipline is the high jump. Thank you all for your kind wishes and support! I will continue to work hard toward success and pursue my goals,» the athlete wrote.

Reactions from international users

Competition footage showcasing Begalinova’s athletic performance, distinctive hairstyle and vibrant style captivated an international audience. In the comments, users jokingly wrote that they were ready to move to Kazakhstan.

Photo: https://www.instagram.com/hay_nyash/

Users also began creating fan art inspired by Begalinova, comparing her hairstyle to those of popular video game characters such as Tracer from Overwatch and Final Fantasy characters.