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The Kazakhstani athlete, who won gold with a new Asian record, was stripped of her medal for using footwear not included on the approved list. In response to an inquiry from the NOC of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it was explained that the rules changed in the spring of 2026.
"Who in Kazakhstan is responsible for ensuring that equipment complies with the rules? A representative of the Athletics Federation, the athlete's coaches, or is there a team administrator who handles this?" we asked NOC representatives.
"After the finish, in accordance with World Athletics rules, a mandatory shoe inspection was conducted for the top three finishers in both the women's and men's categories. During the inspection, technical delegates recorded that the shoe model worn by Kazakhstan's Yasmina Toksanbayeva was not on the list of models approved by World Athletics.
Photographs of the Kazakhstani athlete's shoes were taken for further review and sent along with relevant information to World Athletics for an official ruling. The medals ceremony was postponed pending a response from the international federation, - the NOC explained.
The international athletics governing body ultimately refused to rule in favor of the Kazakhstani athlete.
"World Athletics requirements for athletic footwear were updated by a decision of the international federation's council on March 19, 2026, and came into force on April 20, 2026. Relevant information was sent to all national federations that are members of World Athletics. Since their entry into force, these rules have been mandatory for all competitors, and non-compliance can lead to the annulment of results.
World Athletics officially confirmed that the shoe model used by the athlete is not approved for use in competition. According to current international federation rules, in such cases, the athlete's result is declared invalid, and the final competition protocol is adjusted," Tengri Sport was told.
It was specifically noted that a precedent had already occurred at the 2026 Asian Games. Moreover, Kazakhstan was a beneficiary of the rule on that occasion.
"At the current Asian Games, a similar rule was applied to Iranian athlete Mohitzadeh, who competed in the heptathlon. Following an inspection, it was determined that the shoe model she used was also missing from the list of models approved by World Athletics.
In accordance with the rules, her result was annulled. As a result of the adjustment to the final protocol, Kazakhstani athlete Alina Chistyakova, who previously held fourth place, moved up to third and was awarded the bronze medal," the NOC stated.
The NOC of the Republic of Kazakhstan also noted that they are continuing to process a request regarding a possible appeal.
"Since this issue arose, the Kazakhstan NOC has been in constant communication with World Athletics, the Asian Athletics Association, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the Athletics Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan to provide the necessary support to the Kazakhstani athlete and to explore the possibility of filing an appeal," the statement read.
Notably, Tengri Sport also sent inquiries to the Athletics Federation and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to determine who bears responsibility for the footwear oversight.
"I've been broken into a thousand pieces" – Athlete on losing her medal
After the medal was officially reassigned to a Chinese athlete, Yasmina Toksanbayeva thanked the NOC, the Ministry of Sport, and the Athletics Federation for their support and shared her state of mind on social media.
"The result has been annulled. We fought to the end. Thank you to my superheroes who fought for me until the last moment! From my personal coach and the entire staff of the Kazakhstan Athletics Federation to the Minister of Sport. Today, I have been broken into a thousand pieces," the athlete stated.
Today, the athlete posted a video with numerous words of support and thanked the people of Kazakhstan.
"Right now, I just want to say that your support is incredibly touching and important to me; you are not letting me break at such a difficult time! Only forward, Kazakh people. I am moving on—you won't get rid of me that easily," she said.
It is worth noting that Yasmina is 22 years old and already holds silver and bronze medals from the Asian Championships in the half marathon.
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As a reminder, the Asian Games will continue until October 4. Currently, the Kazakhstan national team holds 5th place in the medal standings.
Kazakhstan's gold medal annulled at Asian Games due to athlete's shoe model
