The past weekend remained relatively active, with Kazakh athletes participating in various sporting events as they strive to qualify for international competitions, such as the Olympics. One of the most notable achievements was Mark Cavendish's recent win at the Italian Grand Tour, marking the 17th victory in his career and first for Astana Qazaqstan cycling team in the event.
Find out more information about this and other sports achievements in the QazMonitor's list below.
Sport shooting
Team Kazakhstan finishes first at the World Cup stage in Almaty
The national shooting team claimed two gold and one silver medal at the ISSF 2023 World Cup Shotgun in Almaty, finishing first in the team rankings.
The Almaty stage of the Olympic Qualifier took place from May 20 to 29, attracting athletes from around the world who aimed to secure a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The Kazakh national team surpassed Italy and Spain, earning three medals and securing the top position.
On the final day, Victor Khassyanov and Mariya Dmitriyenko brought second gold in the trap mixed team, surpassing teams from Turkiye and Iran who finished second and third, respectively.
Prior to that, on May 23, Assem Orynbay claimed first place in the skeet competition and on the following day, she paired up with Eduard Yechshenko to win first place in the skeet mixed team contest.
Tennis
Kulambayeva claims her fourth W15 ITF title in Serbia
Zhibek Kulambayeva emerged victorious at the ITF W15 Kursumlijska Banja tournament in Serbia, stunning Greece's Eleni Christofi in straight sets 6:3, 6:1.
On her path to securing the fourth ITF title of her career, the Kazakh tennis player defeated Slovakia's Nina Vargova in the quarter-finals, and Eleanor Baglow from the UK in the semi-finals.
The total prize fund for the tournament amounted to $15,000.
Rugby
Kazakhstan gets halted by Japan on the way to first place at Asia Rugby Women’s Championship
Fresh off a victory over China's Hong Kong, the national women's rugby team faced a stunning defeat against Japan in the finals, with a score of 72-0.
From May 23 to 28, Almaty hosted the 12th edition of the Asia Rugby Women's Championship, featuring three competing countries – Japan, Kazakhstan, and China's Hong Kong (HKC).
In the semi-finals, our team clashed with HKC, securing a 27:23 win and advancing to the finals, where our athletes lost to Japan. As the runner-up, our team qualifies for the inaugural WXV international rugby championship featuring eighteen countries clashing for the title of world champions.
Cycling
Astana's Mark Cavendish outsprints his opponents at the final stage of the Giro d'Italia
British professional cyclist Mark Cavendish of Astana Qazaqstan cycling team won the final 21st stage of the Giro d’Italia 2023, finishing first in the bunch sprint and scoring his 17th stage win at the Italian Grand Tour.
Cavendish initially tasted success at the Italian Grand Tour in the 4th stage back on May 13, 2008, exactly 15 years and 15 days prior to his recent accomplishment at the same event. This surpasses the previous record held by Gino Bartali, who had a span of 15 years and 9 days between his first and last victory.
Primoz Roglic, a Slovenian cyclist of the Dutch Jumbo-Visma team, claimed the top spot in the overall standings of the Giro d'Italia 2023, becoming the first Slovenian to win the Italian Grand Tour. Prior to this, Roglic had secured victory in the Vuelta a Espana on three occasions.
