The first month of 2023 had its share of historic sports achievements. There was the Australian Open which had everyone biting their nails watching Rybakina hold her ground against the world's bests. We had the World University Games, which needed its own separate digest. We also had champions in boxing, judo, and para skiing that deserve a shout-out. See QazMonitor's sports highlights below.
TENNIS
Elena Rybakina becomes runner-up at the Australian Open 2023
Last week was an emotional rollercoaster as Elena Rybakina powered her way to the Australian Open finals, defeating some of the top names in women’s tennis including World No.1 Iga Swiatek. Although Rybakina fell two points short of the championship title, she still managed to soar up the world rankings and entered the top 10 list on the WTA rankings for the very first time.
PARA SKIING AND BIATHLON
Yerbol Khamitov captures gold at the Para Nordic Skiing World Championships
Switzerland hosted the Para Nordic Skiing World Championships in Ostersund between January 17 and 31. Yerbol Khamitov captured two bronzes in the 7.5km and 12.5km race and gold in the sprint.
BOXING
Kazakhstan claims 20 medals at the Asian Boxing Championships in Thailand
The 2023 ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Thailand concluded with Kazakhstan’s men’s and women’s teams claiming a total of 22 medals.
The men’s team took three gold (Sanzhar Tashkenbay, Nursultan Altynbek, Makhmud Sabyrkhan), three silver (Serik Abzal, Sabirzhan Akkalykov, Dias Molzhigitov), and five bronze (Talgat Syrymbetov, Yerassyl Zhakpekov, Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbayuly, Bekzat Yerkhat, Sabyrgali Amanat).
The women’s team took two gold (Zhasmin Kizatova, Gulsaya Yerzhan) and seven bronze (Moldir Toikova, Anel Sakysh, Viktoriya Grefeyeva, Shakhnaz Issayeva, Nazerke Serik, Akbar Ichshanova, Dana Diday).
JUDO
Women’s judo sees an all-Kazakhstan finals for the first time in history
Portugal Grand Prix 2023 in Almada city ended yesterday with Kazakhstan taking gold and two silver. Abiba Abuzhakynova took first and Galiya Tynbayeva stood in second place in an all-Kazakhstan final for the first time in women’s judo. In the men’s competition, Zhansay Smagulov took silver.
