ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s team continues its winning streak with two gold medals in biathlon and ski jumping, and an undefeated ice hockey team that is set for playoffs at the 2023 FISU (Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire) World University Games, which runs from Jan. 11–22 in Lake Placid, the United States of America.
Kazakh national team’s member and biathlete Vadim Kurales. Photo credit: Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee
Over 1400 college athletes representing 43 nations are competing in 12 sports disciplines at the 31st FISU winter games. The Kazakh team is represented in 10 sports, including alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combines, short track speed skating, ski jumping, snowboarding, and speed skating.
Two gold medals in biathlon and ski jumping
Vadim Kurales, a representative of Kazakhstan’s biathlon team, won the gold medal in the men’s 15 kilometers short individual race with a 42:37.4 time on Jan. 14.
Vadim Kurales. Photo credit: Kazakhstan Biathlon Union
Oerjan Moseng from Norway won silver, 42.6 seconds behind, and Axel Garnier from France grabbed bronze. He was 1:16.5 seconds back.
When asked how he felt after the win, Kurales said “very good.” And, “I woke up this morning, did not think about the shooting or the race, I just had breakfast, took a shower, exercised, and just got here. I was concentrating more on my shooting – something did not work out, I had one miss. I think there is a lot of work to be done and we are going to continue working on it. Now we are preparing for more important competitions for our country, namely the World Junior Championship, which will be held in March in Schuchinsk,” said Kurales to Sports.kz journalist.
Kazakhstan collected its second gold medal with another accomplished performance by Danil Vassilyev in men’s individual ski jumping on Jan. 17.
In his first attempt, he reserved first place with a score of 127.2, and in the final round he was second with a 130.1 score. Kazakhstan’s best result was 257.3, beating out two Austrian times – Maximilian Lienher (251.4) and Timon Pascal Kahofer (248.8).
Kazakhstan’s Danil Vassilyev became the best athlete in ski jumping. Photo credit: Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee
Two gold medals place Kazakhstan in ninth place in the medal standing as of Jan. 18.
Kazakh ice hockey team leads Group B
The Kazakh ice hockey team claimed top seed as the tournament entered the playoff round. In four games, Kazakhstan has put in 33 goals while only allowing three.
Team Kazakhstan opened its tournament on Jan. 12 against South Korea, when it defeated the opponent with a confident 5-0 win. The Kazakh team also secured comfortable wins against Hungary (9-1) and Great Britain (15-1) on the following days.
Hockey game between teams of Kazakhstan and Great Britain. Photo credit: FISU.tv
On Jan. 17, Kazakhstan continued its dominance through Group B of the ice hockey tournament by taking down Slovakia 4-0.
The Kazakh hockey team will face another global hockey power, the U.S. team on Jan. 18 in its final group-stage match.
Games on Jan.18-19 will decide the top two finishers in each pool that will advance to the playoffs. Overall, Canada leads Group A with a 35-5 score, and Kazakhstan leads Group B with a 33-3 score.
