On the instruction of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented state awards to Kazakhstani athletes who took part in the XXV Summer Deaflympic Games held in Tokyo (Japan), El.kz cites primeminister.kz.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that support for athletes is one of the priority areas of the Government’s work and expressed gratitude to the National Team of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to specialists and the coaching staff, for their coordinated and effective work, which has become an example of determination and will to win.
About 3,000 athletes from 81 countries participated in the 2025 Deaflympic Games. Kazakhstani athletes defended the honor of the country in eight sports and won 25 medals – 8 gold, 4 silver, and 13 bronze. As a result, the National Team of the Republic of Kazakhstan ranked 9th in the overall team standings.
“The Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in his Address to the People, noted the need to pay special attention to the development of mass sports and the construction of sports facilities for citizens with special needs. The Deaflympic Games clearly confirm the steady development of the Deaflympic movement in our country. This is the result of coordinated work by sports organizations, coaches, and, of course, the athletes themselves, who through their efforts create a solid foundation for future victories. As part of the implementation of the President’s instructions, the Government is working to develop professional and mass sports and support athletes, and new infrastructure facilities are being built. Systemic and timely measures will make it possible to increase overall performance and ensure further development of the entire sports sector,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.
During the award ceremony, special recognition was given to the results of athletes in deaf judo, whose outstanding performance brought Kazakhstan 11 medals (5 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze) and became one of the brightest achievements of the Games. Among the team leaders were Erkebulan Kanafin and Shadiyar Kuandyk, who became three-time and two-time champions, respectively. In athletics, athlete Faina Meirmanova brought the team a gold medal in the high jump and set a Games record of 1.79 meters. Wrestlers Andrey Samarin and Shadiyar Pernesh, who became champions in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, also made a significant contribution to the overall success. Bronze medals in table tennis were won by Kanat Konkubaev, Daniyar Iskendirov, Bizhan Tulebaev, and Abilay Burkitbay. In taekwondo, bronze medalists were Ayan Abdrash, Aizhamol Abdikatova, and Aida Makatova.
The Prime Minister emphasized that all the achieved results indicate a high level of preparation of Kazakhstani athletes and their ability to successfully cope with the most serious sporting challenges. On behalf of the award recipients, coaches Serik Daniyarov and Maksim Rozhkov delivered responses.
“On behalf of all athletes and coaches, I would like to thank the President of Kazakhstan for the great support provided to Deaflympic athletes. We have been participating in the Deaflympic Games since 1997. I remember becoming the first to win a gold medal for Kazakhstan. Over these years, a great deal of work has been done. The Games in Japan became a major achievement for our country. For the first time, we won so many medals. We will continue our traditions,” Maksim Rozhkov, athletics coach of the national Deaflympic team of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said.
“A tremendous amount of work has been done. We performed very достойно at this Deaflympics, which resulted in such awards and victories. Many thanks to our country and the President. I would like to dedicate my bronze medal to the Head of State,” senior coach of the national table tennis team Serik Daniyarov said.