Kazakh Taekwondoka Bags First Gold at 2025 FISU World University Games

Kazakhstan’s taekwondo competitor Samirkhon Ababakirov has clinched the nation’s first gold medal at the 2025 FISU World Summer University Games currently underway in Germany.

Ababakirov emerged victorious in the men’s 63 kg final against Türkiye’s athlete Omer Faruk Dayioglutur, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

To date, Kazakhstan’s team has secured a total of one gold and six bronze medals. Bronze medals in taekwondo were earned by Tamirlan Tleules, Damir Shulenov, and Nodira Akhmedova. Additionally, Aibola Yertaikyzy helped bolster the medal count with a bronze in women’s rhythmic gymnastics.

The international university sports event is being hosted across Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region from July 16 to 27, drawing nearly 8,000 student-athletes representing over 2,000 universities worldwide.

Kazakhstan’s contingent includes 76 athletes competing across 12 sports disciplines.