Four Golds: Kazakhstani Karatekas Bring Country Historic Victory at Asian Championship

The Asian Karate Championship continues in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). The result of another day of competition was four gold medals in the collection of Kazakhstanis, The Caspian Post reports citing the Zakon.kz.

Competing for the first time at the continental championship among adults, Dayana Darenskaya won a confident victory in the final of the weight category up to 68 kg over Japanese Kama Tsubasa.

Then the bronze medalist of the World Championship, Nurkanat Azhikanov (-75 kg), took to the tatami and left no chance for his opponent from Iran.

Another gold was brought to Kazakhstan by Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sofia Berultseva (+68 kg), who defeated Japanese athlete Sumire Sugita.

Earlier, Zholaman Bigabyl won the gold medal in kumite .

"Thus, the Kazakhstan team finished the tournament with four gold, one silver and four bronze medals, which allowed them to take first place in the overall team standings," the press service of the Ministry of Sports noted.

In second place is Japan (three golds, five silvers, four bronzes), in third place is Vietnam, also with three gold medals.

"For Kazakhstan, this is only the second victory in the overall team standings in the history of the Asian Championships. In 2023, in Malaysia, three gold medals were enough for the national team to take first place."

421 athletes from 29 countries are taking part in the current championship.

Results of the Kazakhstan national team at previous Asian Championships:

• 2022 - third place - two golds, four silvers, two bronzes;
• 2019 - fifth place - one gold, two silver;
• 2012 - fourth place - one gold, three silvers, two bronzes.