Kazakhstan enjoyed another golden day in Astana ©FIAS

Kazakhstan thrilled the home crowd with more gold medals on the final day of the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships in Astana.

The hosts have enjoyed plenty of success all week at the Beeline Arena in the Kazakh capital and capped it off with another excellent day on the mats.

They won four of the seven titles on offer in the men’s competition, with victories for Zhassulan Narimanov, Zhandos Beisenbayev, Nurbol Serikov and Temirlan Kolbay.

The first of those gold medals was won by Narimanov who was crowned 58 kilogram champion with victory over Uzbekistan’s Ilhom Parmonov.

This was followed by more success as Beisenbayev overcame Kyrgyzstan’s Belek Barakanov to win the 64kg title.

Serikov saw off Begench Baltayev of Turkmenistan to secure 79kg gold before Kolbay also beat a Turkmenistan fighter in Dovlet Islamov in the over-98kg final.


Kazakhstan had chances to win even more gold medals as Yelaman Koishybayev and Sagynysh Alipbay moved within one victory of titles only to lose to Kyrgyzstan’s Zhamalbek Uulu Asylbek and Uzbekistan’s Dilshodbek Yuldashev in the respective men’s 88kg and 71kg finals.

Turkmenistan secured the other title on offer as Guvanch Begaliyev saw off Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Eshmurodov to win 98kg gold.

Kazakhstan also celebrated success in the women’s competition with Margarita Bazhayeva, Azman Amaeva and Arailym Abenova winning the respective 50kg, 80kg and over-80kg crowns.

There was double delight for both Mongolia and Uzbekistan.

Mongolia’s victories came in quick succession, with Bayarmma Nekhiitbaatar coming out on top in the 54kg class before Nomintuya Enkhbaatar struck 59kg gold.

Those wins came against opposition from Uzbekistan who then replied with victories for Mukhlisakhon Kadirberganova and Begoyim Khayitova in the respective 65kg and 72kg divisions.