Kazakhstan’s performance at the 17th Asian Games in South Korea in early October was further evidence of the country’s growing reputation as a sporting nation.
Of the 1,454 medals in 36 events that were captured at the games, Kazakhstan clinched 84 medals, including 28 gold, 23 silver and 33 bronze in 23 disciplines and ranked fourth overall. Only heavy favourites China, South Korea and Japan finished ahead of Kazakhstan.
Kazakh boxers particularly dominated the event winning ten medals in 13 events in all but two weight categories to capture the overall medal count in the sport.
The national team also won the medal count in canoeing, taking 10 medals. National team athletes also won the medal count in wrestling as well as seven medals in swimming and shooting, six each in track and field, judo and karate, four in weightlifting, three in rowing, two in fencing, wushu, water polo, taekwondo and tennis and one medal each in beach volleyball, cycling, gymnastics, handball and rugby.
The Kazakh national team’s performance at the Asian Games builds on its impressive wins at the Olympic Games in London in 2012, in which Kazakhstan finished 12th in the medals tally with seven gold medals, one silver and five bronze.
Kazakhstan’s reputation as a sports nation is also being bolstered by its hosting of major sporting events. The 11th Asian Winter Games in 2011 were held in Almaty and Astana, where Kazakhstan topped the medals count with 32 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals. And now the country is bidding to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Almaty.
Total medal count by country
G S B Total
1 China 151 108 83 342
2 Korea 79 71 84 234
3 Japan 47 76 77 200
4 Kazakhstan 28 23 33 84
