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Sport

Uzbekistan Doubles Sports Budget to $230 Million, Launches Presidential Olympics

Uzbekistan has announced the launch of the Presidential Olympics, a new national sports competition, following a recent video conference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Competitions in Olympic sports, titled "Olympic Peaks of New Uzbekistan," will be held twice a year across the country. Winners at the district and regional levels will receive awards from local authorities, while regional champions will advance to the Presidential Olympics, which will take place annually at the Olympic Village from December 10-20. Top athletes will be awarded valuable prizes, including houses and cars. Additionally, first and second-place winners will gain admission to the Republican Olympic and Paralympic Center, where they will receive scholarships for their first two years of study. The initiative aims to enhance Uzbekistan’s international sports standing and help the country secure a top-ten finish at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. During the meeting, it was noted that Uzbekistan’s sports budget has doubled over the past four years, rising from UZS 1.5 trillion ($115.38 million) to UZS 3 trillion ($230.77 million). Additionally, coaches’ salaries have doubled; significant investments have been made in sports infrastructure; 101 new sports facilities have been built; and 67 existing facilities have been reconstructed. To further support athletes preparing for international competitions, including the Olympics, an additional UZS 300 billion ($23 million) will be allocated. President Mirziyoyev commented, “Sport is, first of all, an ambassador of peace, a source of national pride for every country.”

Sports

Kazakhstan to Reconstruct Medeu, the World’s Largest High-Altitude Skating Rink

Kazakhstan plans to reconstruct Medeu, the world’s largest high-altitude skating rink, in 2025, expanding its capabilities and modernizing its facilities. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced the initiative in response to a request from senators. Medeu is a high-mountain sports complex located outside Almaty in the Medeu gorge, at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level. According to Bektenov, the planned modernization will enhance the rink’s technical specifications, bringing it in line with International Skating Union (ISU) standards for hosting speed skating and figure skating competitions. Additionally, the Almaty City Council (Akimat) aims to expand Medeu’s functionality to accommodate ball hockey (bandy) tournaments, world championships in ice speedway racing, and various ice shows and mass sporting events. Calls for Renovation In late December, Kazakh senators urged the prime minister to take action, noting that Medeu is now 52 years old. “Opened in 1972, it quickly became one of the best ice rinks in the world. In its first year alone, 249 of a possible 375 world records were set on its ice. The clean mountain air, rarefied atmosphere, and glacial meltwater used for ice resurfacing contributed to outstanding athletic performances. For two decades, Medeu led the world in speed skating. However, after the ISU introduced rules requiring competitions to be held in indoor arenas, outdoor rinks lost their prominence. Should we simply accept that a rink built for records is losing its significance? Medeu remains the world’s largest outdoor artificial ice rink, spanning 10,500 square meters and accommodating up to 8,100 spectators,” the senators wrote in their appeal. Proposed Measures To restore Medeu’s global sporting relevance, the senators proposed the following initiatives: Grant Medeu a special ISU status. Establish a high-altitude training center for athletes. Develop facilities for ball hockey (bandy) competitions. Utilize the arena for ice shows and performances by world-class figure skaters. Host stages of the world ice speedway championship. With its historical significance and unique natural conditions, Medeu remains a symbol of Kazakhstan’s sporting legacy. The upcoming renovation aims to ensure it remains a world-class venue for both competitive and recreational ice sports.

Sport

Kazakhstan Sumo Wrestler Takes Third Place at Japan’s Emperor’s Cup

According to the Japanese publication Tachiai, Kazakhstan’s Yersin Baltagul, known in Japan as Kimbodzan Haruki, has achieved a historic milestone at the Emperor's Cup, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sumo world. Baltagul entered the tournament's final round with an impressive record of 12 wins and 3 losses. However, in the decisive matches, he was bested by Japan’s Ojo Konosuke and Mongolia’s Sugarragchaagiin Byambasuren, known by his ring name Hoshoryu Tomokatsu. This secured Baltagul a commendable third-place finish. While Hoshoryu Tomokatsu ultimately claimed the championship title, Baltagul did not leave the tournament empty-handed. He was awarded the “Fighting Spirit” prize, a special recognition for his skill, determination, and resilience in the ring. This accolade cements Baltagul’s place as the first Kazakhstani athlete to reach such heights in the professional world of Japanese sumo. Baltagul, 27, began his wrestling journey in his childhood, training in traditional kazaksha kures (national wrestling) and judo. Aged 18, he moved to Japan to pursue a career in sumo, and in 2019, he claimed the title of Japan's youth sumo champion, marking an important early milestone. Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the strongest competitors in a sport deeply rooted in Japanese culture and tradition. Baltagul's 12th victory during the Emperor's Cup has spotlighted his elite level of training and competitiveness, ranking him among the sport's top athletes. His success demonstrates the growing prominence of Kazakhstan's athletes on the international stage and paves the way for the development of sumo in Kazakhstan. Baltagul’s story is one of perseverance and excellence, marking a proud moment for Kazakhstan in the global sports arena.

Sport

Uzbek Boxer Asadullaev Wins Title, Then Disqualified for Biting

The Asian Boxing Confederation has stripped Uzbek boxer Khavasbek Asadullaev of his winner’s title at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships, ruling that he bit his Kazakh opponent during the light middleweight (71kg) final bout in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Kazakh boxer Ablaikhan Zhussupov has been declared the champion following the disqualification of Asadullaev, the confederation said in a statement. It said the ruling came after a protest from the Kazakh Boxing Federation over the foul, which was overlooked by the referee during the fight on Wednesday. After the ruling, the Kazakh federation noted on Telegram that Serbian referee Jovana Ugrenovic had not issued any warning to Asadullaev about the violation when it occurred, and that it had photo and video evidence of the foul. The federation said Asadullaev was “suspended from competitions for a certain period.” Some media reports said Asadullaev bit Zhussupov on the shoulder. Video of the fight shows Asadullaev being declared the winner after a split decision, embracing his opponent and skipping across the ring in triumph.

Sport

Spanish Soccer Coach to Work in Tajikistan

The Tajik Football Federation (TFF) has signed a contract with Spanish coach Claudio Garcia Lara, who has experience working in soccer academies in Spain, England, China, and India. The agreement was made as part of a joint project between the Football Federation of Tajikistan and FIFA's "FIFA Talent Development Scheme" within the "FIFA Talent Coaching" program. UEFA Pro license holder Garcia Lara will work in Tajikistan for two years. He is now coaching the U-14 team, preparing it for tournaments under the auspices of the Asian Football Confederation and the Central Asian Football Association. According to Uvaido Davlatbekov, technical director of the Tajik Football Federation, 27 players from different regions were invited to the U-14 team. The young players train, study, and live at the Istiklol Football Academy in the Almosi settlement of Gissar. The “FIFA Talent Coach” program is designed to occur over two years. The Spanish specialist works with Tajik coaches, and the program's goals are to identify and develop talents and attract the best specialists to work with gifted players. "The project also includes activities to find talented players nationwide and coaching seminars,” Davlatbekov explained. The Tajikistan Football Federation is actively implementing FIFA's Talent Development Scheme, a program to identify and develop young talent. In 2023, following FIFA's recommendations, a technical development program was created, extending until 2026. This program includes identifying players aged 12 to 16 and conducting seminars for youth and women's soccer coaches. The selected players form the core of the Tajikistan U-16 national youth team, which has won CAFA tournaments for two consecutive years.

Sport

Rybakina’s 2024 Season Ends with Win over World No. 1

Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina has ended her 2024 season on a high note, beating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, even though she wasn’t able to advance to the semifinals of the yearend event. Moscow-born Rybakina, who is ranked fifth in the world, defeated the Belarusian star 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in the elite tournament’s Purple Group on Wednesday after losing her first two matches to Jasmine Paolini of Italy and Zheng Qinwen of China. "I think today I served really well, and especially in the third set," Rybakina said, according to the WTA. It was her second win over Sabalenka this season. "But of course, overall, I know that I'm not at my best, and if I would have maybe more weeks and some other matches, but with all the circumstances, I'm really happy overall how I played this this tournament," said Rybakina, who struggled with physical issues in the second half of the season after a strong start. This year, Rybakina also split with coach Stefano Vukov, with whom she had considerable success, including the 2022 Wimbledon title, despite concerns among commentators about his intense, critical style. Next year, she plans to work with Goran Ivanisevic, the former coach of Novak Djokovic. "I'm really looking forward to this partnership," Rybakina said. "I think he's a great champion and he has so much experience.”