First start – first record
The very first medal event of the opening day of the Kazakhstan Championships among juniors and older youth concluded with a historic achievement — a new national record was set in the women’s junior 5000 m race walk, and the qualification standard for the World Junior Championships was also achieved. The first national record in the обновлённый Olga Rypakova Indoor Arena was set by Almaty race walker Margarita Storozhenko. The athlete from the southern capital covered the distance in an impressive 23:52.48, significantly surpassing last year’s national record set at the same venue by her teammate and fellow Almaty athlete Sabrina Arziyeva. Last year, Sabrina recorded 24:11.82. Thus, Storozhenko improved the previous record by 19.34 seconds! Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU6MP-BjAOI/?img_index=1
Competition of program
Competition Schedule Kazakhstan Indoor Championship (Junior 2007–2008) U20Ust-Kamenogorsk, Olga Rypakova Indoor ArenaFebruary 18–20, 2026 February 18 – Day 1Morning Session09:20 — 5000 m race walk (junior girls, junior boys) final10:00 — 60 m (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors)10:30 — Long jump (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors)11:30 — Shot put (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors)12:05 — 400 m (juniors)12:30 — High jump (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors) Evening Session15:45 — Official Opening Ceremony16:00 — 60 m (junior girls) final16:03 — Shot put (junior girls) final16:05 — Long jump (junior girls) final16:10 — 60 m (junior boys) final16:15 — Pole vault (junior girls) final16:25 — 400 m (junior girls) final16:35 — 400 m (junior boys) final16:40 — High jump (junior boys) final16:50 — 1500 m (junior girls) final17:00 — Award Ceremony:• 60 m (junior girls, junior boys)• 400 m (junior girls, junior boys)17:20 — 1500 m (junior boys) final18:30 — 4×400 m mixed relay (junior boys) final18:50 — Award Ceremony:• Shot put (junior girls)• 1500 m (junior girls, junior boys)• Pole vault (junior girls)• High jump (junior boys)• 4×400 m mixed relay (U20) February 19 – Day 2Morning Session10:35 — 60 m hurdles (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors)10:45 — 200 m (junior girls)11:05 — Pole vault (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors)11:45 — 200 m (junior boys) Evening Session16:00 — 60 m hurdles (junior girls) final16:01 — Shot put (junior boys) final16:05 — Long jump (junior boys) final16:07 — Pole vault (junior boys) final16:10 — 60 m hurdles (junior boys) final16:25 — 200 m (junior girls) final16:35 — 200 m (junior boys) final16:40 — High jump (junior girls) final16:45 — 1000 m (decathlon/heptathlon, juniors)17:20 — 800 m (junior boys)18:15 — 2000 m steeplechase (junior boys) final19:05 — 4×200 m relay (junior boys) final19:40 — Award Ceremony:• Long jump (junior boys)• Shot put (junior boys)• Pole vault (junior boys)• 200 m (junior boys)• 2000 m steeplechase (junior boys)• 4×200 m relay (junior boys) February 20 – Day 3Morning Session10:00 — 60 m hurdles (heptathlon/decathlon, junior girls)10:30 — 3000 m (junior girls) final10:40 — High jump (heptathlon/decathlon, junior girls)11:10 — 3000 m (junior boys) final11:30 — Shot put (heptathlon/decathlon, junior girls) Evening Session15:45 — Long jump (heptathlon/decathlon, junior girls)16:20 — Triple jump (junior girls) final16:30 — 800 m (junior girls) final16:45 — 800 m (junior boys) final17:15 — Triple jump (junior boys) final17:20 — 4×400 m relay (junior girls) final18:15 — 4×400 m relay (junior boys) final19:10 — Award Ceremony:• 800 m (junior girls, junior boys)• Triple jump (junior girls, junior boys)• Decathlon/Heptathlon (junior girls)• 4×400 m relay (junior girls, junior boys)Official Closing Ceremony Kazakhstan Indoor Championship (Older Youth 2009–2010) U18 February 18 – Day 1Morning Session10:10 — 60 m (girls)10:50 — 60 m (boys)11:40 — 400 m (girls) Evening Session16:00 — 60 m (girls) final16:10 — 60 m (boys) final16:25 — 400 m (girls) final16:35 — 400 m (boys) final17:00 — Shot put (girls) final17:20 — Long jump (girls) final17:50 — High jump (boys) final18:10 — 4×200 m mixed relay (U18) final18:50 — Award Ceremony:• Shot put (girls)• Long jump (girls)• High jump (boys)• 4×200 m mixed relay (U18) February 19 – Day 2Morning Session09:30 — 3000 m race walk (girls, boys) final10:00 — 60 m hurdles (girls)10:25 — 60 m hurdles (boys)10:45 — 200 m (girls)11:45 — 200 m (boys) Evening Session16:10 — 60 m hurdles (boys) final17:00 — 800 m (girls)17:10 — Shot put (boys) final17:25 — Long jump (boys) final17:40 — High jump (girls) final17:55 — 2000 m steeplechase (girls) final18:35 — 4×200 m relay (girls) final19:05 — 4×200 m relay (boys) final19:40 — Award Ceremony:• Long jump (boys)• Shot put (boys)• High jump (girls)• 200 m (girls, boys)• 2000 m steeplechase (girls, boys)• 4×200 m relay (girls, boys) February 20 – Day 3Morning Session10:00 — Triple jump (girls) final10:10 — 60 m hurdles (heptathlon/decathlon, girls)10:30 — 3000 m (girls) final11:15 — Triple jump (boys) final11:30 — High jump (heptathlon/decathlon, girls)12:20 — Award Ceremony:• 3000 m (girls, boys)• Triple jump (girls, boys) Evening Session16:30 — 800 m (girls) final16:45 — 800 m (boys) final17:20 — 4×400 m relay (girls) final18:15 — 4×400 m relay (boys) final19:10 — Award Ceremony:• 800 m (girls, boys)• Decathlon/Heptathlon (girls)• 4×400 m relay (girls, boys)Official Closing Ceremony
Photo report from the 11th International Athletics Tournament for the Prizes of Olympic Champion Olga Rypakova February 14, 2026
Full photo report in our Media section https://vkoathletics.kz/xi-international-athletics-tournament-for-the-prizes-of-olympic-champion-olga-rypakova14-02-26/
XI International Athletics Tournament for the Prizes of Olympic Champion Olga Rypakova14.02.26
XI International Tournament for the Prizes of Olympic Champion Olga Rypakova Held in Ust-Kamenogorsk
XI International Tournament for the Prizes of Olympic Champion Olga Rypakova Held in Ust-Kamenogorsk Ust-Kamenogorsk, February 14, 2026. The XI International Athletics Tournament for the Prizes of Olympic Champion Olga Rypakova became a true celebration of sport. This year, the opening ceremony was held in a renewed format: dance performances were complemented by drummers, creating a special atmosphere warmly received by the audience. Among the honored guests were — Akim of East Kazakhstan Region Nurymbet Saktaganov, Honored Coach of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Elzhanov, Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of East Kazakhstan Region Askar Mozhanov, Secretary General of the Athletics Federation of Kazakhstan Kelbet Nurgazina, Vice-President of the Federation Alpamys Bakytuly, and of course, Olga Rypakova herself. In her inspirational speech, the London-2012 champion noted:“The nature of our region is unique, and this land gives great strength. The people living here are wonderful, hardworking, and kind. I thank everyone who helped organize these competitions. I wish all athletes high results and national records!” Akim Saktaganov emphasized the growing prestige of the tournament on the world stage: for the second year in a row, it holds Silver Level status from World Athletics. This means that athletes’ results enter the World Athletics ranking, which is especially important for selection to major international competitions. Athletes from 12 countries competed for medals, including Greece, Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka. Spectators witnessed many spectacular moments. Competition Results Men:• Shot put: Georgiy Mudjaridze (GEO) — 19.56 m• Triple jump: Maksim Vanyaykin (UKR) — 16.24 m• Pole vault: Ivan Tovchenik (KAZ) — 5.20 m• 400 m (Final A): Elnor Mukhitdinov (KAZ) — 47.94 s• 400 m (Final B): Alan Ivanov (KAZ) — 49.71 s• 800 m: Igor Khrunin (KAZ) — 1:56.54• 3000 m: Beybarys Izgali (KAZ) — 8:44.11• 60 m hurdles: David Efremov (KAZ) — 7.79 s Women:• Triple jump: Maria Efremova (KAZ) — 13.51 m• Long jump: Yasemin Zehra Burekci (TUR) — 6.41 m (new competition record!)• 400 m (Final A): Janbibi Hukmova (UZB) — 54.15 s• 400 m (Final B): Anastasia Tsvirkunova (KAZ) — 57.04 s• 800 m: Alexandra Zalyubovskaya (KAZ) — 2:14.24• 3000 m: Darya Miller (KAZ) — 9:48.38• High jump: Barnokhon Saifullaeva (UZB) — 1.88 m• 60 m: Amasha de Silva (SRI) — 7.47 s• 60 m hurdles: Yuliya Bashmanova (KAZ) — 8.37 s Mixed 4×200 m relay: Team KAZ1 — 1:31.64 Special attention was drawn to the new competition record set by Turkish athlete Yasemin Zehra Burekci in the long jump. For the first time, races for inclusive children were added to the program, making the event even more open, accessible, and truly unifying. The competition gave the audience bright emotions and inspiration, and ahead lie new competitions and records that will continue to strengthen Kazakhstan’s athletics position on the world stage.
The XI International Tournament in honor of Olympic champion Olga Rypakova
The XI International Tournament in honor of Olympic champion Olga Rypakova will take place in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Ust-Kamenogorsk | Olga Rypakova Athletics Center Date: February 14 Start: 16:30 Admission: Free The XI International Tournament in honor of Olympic champion Olga Rypakova will take place in Ust-Kamenogorsk. More than 150 athletes from 11 countries will participate in the competition: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, India, Greece, Turkey, and Lithuania. Kazakhstan is represented by the largest team — 89 athletes, including men and women. The program includes all main disciplines, and participants include national team leaders, international medalists, and national record holders. Competition program: Men: 60 m, 400 m, 800 m, 3000 m, 60 m hurdles, pole vault, triple jump, shot put. Women: 60 m, 400 m, 800 m, 3000 m, 60 m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump. A new feature of the tournament is the 4×200 m mixed relay (two women and two men). Participants include experienced athletes and Asian champions, as well as young and junior athletes. The tournament is part of the international athletics calendar, provides opportunities to achieve qualifying standards for the World Championship, and promotes youth development and international cooperation. The tournament will start at 16:30 on February 14 at the Olga Rypakova Athletics Center. Admission is free. Live stream link https://www.youtube.com/live/527bdb0171E Evening Session 16:30 — Opening Ceremony 17:00 — 60 m Men Heat 1 17:06 — 60 m Men Heat 2 17:12 — 60 m Women Heat 1 17:15 — Shot Put Men Final 17:18 — 60 m Women Heat 2 17:20 — Long Jump Women Final 17:22 — 4×200 m Mixed Relay Kids Final 17:24 — Pole Vault Men Final 17:28 — 400 m Women Heat 1 17:36 — 400 m Women Heat 2 17:40 — High Jump Women Final 17:44 — 400 m Men Heat 1 17:52 — 400 m Men Heat 2 18:00 — 800 m Women Final 18:08 — 800 m Men Final 18:16 — 3000 m Women Final 18:20 — Triple Jump Men Final 18:31 — 3000 m Men Final 18:40 — Triple Jump Women Final 18:46 — 60 m Inclusive Events Final 18:50 — 60 m Girls Final 18:54 — 60 m Boys Final 19:00 — 60 m Women Final 19:06 — 60 m Men Final 19:16 — 60 m Hurdles Women Final 19:22 — 60 m Hurdles Men Final
Asian Championship Silver for Nadezhda Dubovitskaya
Kazakhstani athlete Nadezhda Dubovitskaya won a silver medal at the Asian Athletics Championships currently taking place in China. The athlete delivered a strong performance in the women’s high jump, clearing a height of 1.87 meters. The height of 1.84 meters was cleared by the representative of East Kazakhstan Region on her third attempt, after which she confidently cleared 1.87 meters on her first try. Dubovitskaya shared the silver medal with Indian athlete Pooja, who achieved the same result with an equal number of attempts. The gold medal was won by an athlete from Uzbekistan. This medal became the fourth Asian Championship medal in Nadezhda Dubovitskaya’s athletic career. Photo source: @qazathletics
Young Athletes of East Kazakhstan Compete for Medals on the Track
On February 1st, Ridder hosted a large-scale track competition for boys and girls across four age categories, ranging from the youngest participants (born in 2015 and younger) to senior athletes born in 2009–2010. Athletes representing Ridder, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Shemonaikha, and the Glubokoe district competed for victory in the 300m, 400m, 600m, and 800m events. In the 800-meter race, Nikita Gureyev (Ridder) took the lead among the senior boys with a time of 2:03.45, while Yaroslava Semenova and Viktoriya Khoreva claimed gold in the girls’ division. In shorter sprints, such as the 300m and 400m, Arseniy Shanin, Alikhan Smagulov, and Diana Sholokh delivered outstanding performances. The officiating team, led by head judge E. Podkorytov, noted the excellent organization of the event and the impressive competitive spirit of the participants. Now, the young champions will take a short break to recover before they begin preparing for even more ambitious challenges.
Nadezhda Nikolaevna Lukashina has passed away
With deep sorrow, we announce that on January 14, 2026, Nadezhda Nikolaevna Lukashina, a track and field coach, passed away. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her students and colleagues. We extend our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.