The first set of medals has been awarded at the Asian Games in Japan. Bronze went to Kazakhstan's Arlan Zhanabay. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The Kazakh athlete completed a 750 m swim, a 20 km bike ride and a 5 km run in 53 minutes 11 seconds. He finished just 15 seconds behind champion Takumi Hojo of Japan (52.56). Silver went to China's Zhang Xiuzhui (53.05).
Zhanabay's Kazakhstan teammate Ayan Beisenbayev took ninth place – 54.56.
33 athletes started the triathlon distance, and 29 finished.
Throughout the history of the Asian Games, Kazakhstan has won six medals in triathlon. The only gold, at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, was won by Dmitry Gaag. Beisenbayev became vice-champion in 2018 and took third place at the 2022 Asian Games.
The XX Summer Asian Games in Japan officially opened yesterday, 19 September. The multi-sport event, featuring athletes from 45 countries, will award 460 sets of medals. 217 – among men, 204 – among women and 39 – in mixed categories. Tournaments will be held in 68 disciplines across 41 sports. Kazakhstan's national team at the 2026 Asian Games will include 559 athletes.