Kazakhstan defeats Uzbekistan in Asian Games medal bout

Photo: NOC/ Arlan Olzhabay

Tengrinews.kz – Kazakh karateka Bella Samasheva defeated Uzbekistan’s Sevinch Rakhimova in the bout for the bronze medal at the Asian Games.

The hard-fought Asian Games medal bout in the under-55 kilogram category lasted the full allotted time and ended with a score of 0:0. The referees awarded the victory to the Kazakh athlete based on additional criteria.

Thus, 22-year-old Bella Samasheva brought Kazakhstan its ninth medal of the Games in Japan.

It should be noted that almost half of Kazakhstan’s medals have been won by karate athletes: Zholaman Bigabyl and Sofya Berultseva each won gold on the first day, while Assel Kanay reached the final but took silver.

Kazakhstan’s team at the 2026 Asian Games

In the first days of the Asian Games, Kazakhstan’s national team won nine medals: four gold, one silver and four bronze.

The victories came from karate athletes and cyclists. Assel Kanay won silver in karate, while bronze medals were earned in MMA, triathlon and pentathlon.

As a reminder, the 20th Summer Asian Games are taking place in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, and will run until October 4.