Kazakhstan is a nation with a proud martial arts tradition, and judo is one of the most popular martial arts in the country. Judo is a full-contact sport that originated in Japan in the late 19th century. It involves grappling techniques, throws, and joint locks.
In Kazakhstan, judo is practiced at all levels, from the local clubs to the national team. The national team has achieved numerous successes, and the country has produced some of the best judo players in the world.
This article will take a look at some of the best judo players from Kazakhstan and their accomplishments.
1. Yeldos Smetov
Yeldos Smetov is a talented judoka from Kazakhstan who specializes in competing in the under 60 kg weight division. He has achieved success in various international competitions since 2014, the most impressive of which is winning a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games.
He went on to win gold again at the 2015 World Judo Championships and proved himself to be a world-class athlete by earning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.
Most recently, Yeldos competed at the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, and earned the bronze medal in his weight class. This is a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport of judo.
Yeldos Smetov is a true champion of the sport, and his achievements should be celebrated.
2. Rustam Ibrayev
Rustam Ibrayev is a Kazakhstani judoka who has had a great deal of success in his career. He is best known for winning a silver medal at the 2015 World Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
This was a significant accomplishment, as it showed Ibrayev’s skill and dedication to the sport. He followed this up with another impressive achievement, winning the 2015 Baku Grand Slam in Azerbaijan.
This tournament is one of the biggest judo competitions in the world, and Ibrayev’s victory was a testament to his skill and hard work. Ibrayev has proven himself to be one of the most talented and successful judokas in the world.
His accomplishments at the World Judo Championships and Baku Grand Slam are a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport of judo. He is a true inspiration to others, and his success is a great example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.
3. Islam Bozbayev
Islam Bozbayev is an accomplished judoka from Kazakhstan. He achieved success in 2010 when he won the bronze medal in the men’s under 81 kg class at the Asian Games.
This success earned him a place on the Kazakh team for the 2012 Summer Olympics, where he competed in the same division. Bozbayev’s impressive achievements demonstrate his commitment to judo and his skill as a judoka.
He has achieved success on the international stage, and his continued presence in judo competitions is a testament to his dedication to the sport.
4. Didar Khamza
Didar Khamza is a highly accomplished Kazakhstani judoka. He has achieved great success in the sport, particularly at the 2016 Asian Judo Championships, where he won the silver medal. This was a huge accomplishment for Khamza, who had worked incredibly hard to reach this point.
Khamza’s success didn’t stop there, as he was then selected to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics. This was a huge honor, and a testament to Khamza’s dedication to the sport.
Unfortunately, Khamza was eliminated in the second round of the competition, but the experience was still a huge achievement in his career. Didar Khamza’s accomplishments demonstrate his strength and skill as a judoka.
He is a true inspiration for aspiring judokas everywhere, showing them that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.
5. Maxim Rakov
Maxim Rakov is a Kazakhstani judoka who has achieved great success on the international judo stage. In 2009, Rakov won the World Championships in the men’s half-heavyweight division, where he beat Dutch judoka Henk Grol in the final.
Two years later, in 2011, Rakov won the silver medal at the World Championships, after being defeated by his fellow countryman Tagir Khaybulaev in the final.
Throughout his judo career, Rakov has been a consistent performer, and his impressive record is a testament to his commitment to the sport.
6. Azamat Mukanov
Azamat Mukanov is a Kazakh judoka who has achieved great success in his sport. He won the silver medal at the 2013 World Judo Championships held in Rio de Janeiro, competing in the –66 kg event.
His success in the tournament reflects his dedication to the sport and the hard work he has put in to reach the top. In addition to his success at the World Championships, Mukanov is also the 2011 national champion of Kazakhstan.
He further cemented his status as a top judoka in 2013 by ranking third in the event.
This ranking indicates that Mukanov is one of the top judokas in the world and that he is a force to be reckoned with. Overall, Azamat Mukanov is a premier judoka who has had success on both the national and international levels.
His accomplishments are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of judo.
7. Yerlan Serikzhanov
Yerlan Serikzhanov is a highly accomplished judoka from Kazakhstan. He has achieved international recognition by competing in various events, most recently at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Serikzhanov was a part of the men’s 66 kg event at the Olympics, where he put in a strong effort.
His success extended to the 2018 World Judo Championships, where he emerged victorious and was rewarded with a medal. Serikzhanov’s success is impressive, but it doesn’t come as a surprise, as he has been training and competing in judo for many years.
He has always been passionate about the sport, and his dedication has paid off in the form of international recognition. He is an inspiration to many aspiring judokas, and his accomplishments are sure to motivate them to strive for greatness.
8. Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh
Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh is an accomplished judoka who was born in Mongolia but now competes for Kazakhstan. She made her Olympic debut in 2016 when she competed in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
During the competition, she competed in the -48kg event and managed to win the bronze medal. This marked a huge milestone in her career, as she became the first female judoka to win an Olympic medal for Kazakhstan. Galbadrakh’s success did not stop there, however.
She also won multiple medals in the Asian Judo Championships, the Grand Slam event in Tokyo, and the Asian Games.
Her dedication and hard work have earned her great respect in the judo community, and her achievements have served as an inspiration to many aspiring judokas. Galbadrakh’s success has also been recognized by the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, who awarded her the Order of Kurmet in 2017.
This is the highest award that can be given to a judoka in Kazakhstan, and it is a testament to her hard work and dedication. Overall, Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh is an exemplary judoka who has achieved incredible success in her sport.
She has set a great example for other judokas around the world, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
9. Askhat Zhitkeyev
Askhat Rasulovich Zhitkeyev is a highly accomplished Kazakh judoka. He has had a successful international career, having won medals at the Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Askhat won a silver medal in the -100 kg division.
This was a monumental achievement for Askhat, and it put him firmly on the international judo map. At the 2001 World Judo Championships, Askhat won a bronze medal in the -100 kg division.
This was yet another impressive accomplishment for the Kazakh judoka, illustrating his skill and determination. At the Asian Games, Askhat has won three bronze medals in the -100 kg division.
This is a testament to his consistency and longevity in the sport, as he has been able to remain competitive and successful over the years. Overall, Askhat Rasulovich Zhitkeyev has had a successful judo career.
His medals from the Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games are a testament to his skill and dedication.
10. Gusman Kyrgyzbayev
Gusman Kyrgyzbayev is a highly accomplished judoka from Kazakhstan. As of March 2018, he has earned a world ranking of seventh in the under 60 kg division. This is a remarkable achievement, as the judo world is highly competitive.
In 2017, he was able to reach the seventh-place finish at the world championships, achieving a tremendous feat. His hard work and dedication to the sport have been instrumental in his success, and he continues to strive to reach even greater heights.
He has become an inspiration to aspiring judokas all over the world, and his accomplishments are a testament to his commitment and perseverance.
Conclusion
The best judo players in Kazakhstan are some of the most skilled and talented athletes in the world. Their commitment to the sport and dedication to reaching their goals have earned them success both nationally and internationally.
Kazakhstan has produced many great judo players, some of whom have gone on to become world champions, and their presence in the sport has helped to raise the profile of the sport in the country.
