From July 22 to 24, Astana hosted the XXXV Kazakhstan Athletics Championships. The competition marked the conclusion of the 2026 summer athletics season for Kazakhstan’s athletes. The championship was notable for two reasons: it was the 35th edition of the country’s premier athletics event and the first to be held at the newly opened stadium of the Kazakhstan National University of Sports. The results of the championships will determine the national team that will represent Kazakhstan at the 2026 Asian Games. East Kazakhstan Region (VKO) was represented by 35 athletes.
The opening day brought several medals for the region. In the men’s 400 metres, Elnor Mukhitdinov and Yefim Tarasov finished first and second in 47.66 and 48.11 seconds respectively. Igor Khrunin won the men’s 1,500 metres in 4:00.75. In the men’s 10,000 metres, Shadrack Kimutai Koech claimed gold with a time of 30:48.08. The VKO men’s 4×100 m relay team earned silver, finishing in 42.54 seconds.
The field events also produced medals on the first day. Aleksey Khlystov won the javelin throw with 70.47 m, while Artur Gafner took silver with 70.40 m, just six centimetres behind the winner. Ivan Ivanov claimed gold in the shot put with a throw of 18.57 m.
In the women’s events, Daisy Jepkemei won the 10,000 metres in 33:52.33, while Carolina Chepkoech Kipkirui finished third in 36:41.73. The VKO women’s 4×100 m relay team claimed bronze with a time of 49.40 seconds. In the high jump, Yelizaveta Matveeva cleared 1.80 m to win silver, while Nadezhda Dubovitskaya earned bronze with 1.75 m. Anastassiya Rypakova won the long jump with 6.11 m, and Varvara Nazarova added another gold medal by winning the women’s javelin throw with 45.75 m.
The second day was equally successful for the East Kazakhstan athletes. The VKO team finished second in the mixed 4×100 m relay with a time of 45.42 seconds. Akylzhan Toktagalin won bronze in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.04 m. Askar Omirzak earned silver in the pole vault with 4.30 m, while Ivan Sening won the decathlon with 6,575 points.
Among the women, Sofya Kidenko took bronze in the 200 metres, clocking 25.20 seconds. Varvara Dmitriyeva won silver in the triple jump with 12.60 m.
The final day also brought medals for East Kazakhstan. In the men’s 5,000 metres, Shadrack Kimutai Koech added another medal to his collection, finishing second in 15:01.37. The VKO men’s 4×400 m relay team won gold with a time of 3:16.75. In the hammer throw, Aldiyar Kairollayev claimed silver with 46.71 m.
In the women’s competition, Daisy Jepkemei completed the distance double by winning the 5,000 metres in 16:50.88. Arina Gladysheva finished third with 17:55.39. Anastassiya Kaloshina added another bronze medal for the region in the hammer throw with 55.84 m.
The championships in Astana became a fitting conclusion to the 2026 summer athletics season and an important step in selecting Kazakhstan’s team for the 2026 Asian Games.
Results by Competition Day
Day 1
Men
400 m
- Elnor Mukhitdinov — 47.66
- Yefim Tarasov — 48.11
1,500 m
- Igor Khrunin — 4:00.75
10,000 m
2. Shadrack Kimutai Koech — 30:48.08
4×100 m Relay
- East Kazakhstan Region — 42.54
Javelin Throw
- Aleksey Khlystov — 70.47 m
- Artur Gafner — 70.40 m
Shot Put
- Ivan Ivanov — 18.57 m
Women
10,000 m
- Daisy Jepkemei — 33:52.33
- Carolina Chepkoech Kipkirui — 36:41.73
4×100 m Relay
- East Kazakhstan Region — 49.40
High Jump
- Yelizaveta Matveeva — 1.80 m
- Nadezhda Dubovitskaya — 1.75 m
Long Jump
- Anastassiya Rypakova — 6.11 m
Javelin Throw
- Varvara Nazarova — 45.75 m
Day 2
Men
Mixed 4×100 m Relay
- East Kazakhstan Region — 45.42
High Jump
- Akylzhan Toktagalin — 2.04 m
Pole Vault
- Askar Omirzak — 4.30 m
Decathlon
- Ivan Sening — 6,575 points
Women
200 m
- Sofya Kidenko — 25.20
Triple Jump
- Varvara Dmitriyeva — 12.60 m
Day 3
Men
5,000 m
- Shadrack Kimutai Koech — 15:01.37
4×400 m Relay
- East Kazakhstan Region — 3:16.75
Hammer Throw
- Aldiyar Kairollayev — 46.71 m
Women
5,000 m
- Daisy Jepkemei — 16:50.88
3.Arina Gladysheva — 17:55.39
Hammer Throw
- Anastassiya Kaloshina — 55.84 m
