Today at the Asian Games, Kazakh athletes finally broke the prolonged "bronze age." They won two medals of every degree, including gold. However, Yasmine Toksanbayeva's victory was contested by rival Kazakh athletes. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Protest against Toksanbayeva's victory

Shortly after the finish of the race walking marathon distance, a protest was filed against Toksanbayeva. More precisely, against her sports footwear.

"A protest was filed against the Kazakh athlete regarding the sneakers she used. Currently, the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics) is reviewing this protest and checking whether this model of sneakers is on the list of permitted footwear. All official information will be announced as it becomes available," the press release of the NOC of Kazakhstan states.

By the end of the Asian Games day, World Athletics had not published a decision on Toksanbayeva. In the medal table on the official website of the sports forum, the Kazakh athlete's gold is not reflected. The athlete herself, who gave all her strength to the victory, reacted to the incident on social media:

"Everything is the will of the Almighty! I thank a million times all the people who support me and are next to me and not only next to me. Rakmet Kazakhstan! I now extremely need your support. Today we set a new Asian record, today we rewrote history! Even if they take this away from me, I will return and do it again!"

Gold for the epee fencers

Another gold today was won by the epee fencing team. The 2026 world champions in the final of the team tournament of the Asian Games recovered a nine-point deficit and defeated the South Koreans – 43:42. Ruslan Kurbanov, Kirill Prokhodov, Vadim Sharlaimov and Yerlik Sertay climbed to the first step of the podium. For Prokhodov, this is his second medal in Nagoya.

Weightlifting, steeplechase and synchronized swimming

Weightlifter Ayanat Zhumagali became vice-champion in the weight category up to 77 kg. In the combined total she lifted 246 kg and brought the Kazakhstan team its first medal of the tournament in weightlifting.

Silver was brought to the team's tally by naturalized Kenyan Nora Jeruto, who finished second in the steeplechase with a personal season record.

Synchronized swimmers Nargiza Bolatova and Yasmin Tuyakova won bronze medals in the duet competitions in artistic swimming. Yerlan Tasmagambetov climbed to the third step of the podium in trampoline gymnastics.

Boxing, water polo and tennis

Boxing team captain Aibek Oralbay reached the semifinal, guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal. In the women's tournament, two-time world champion Aida Abikeyeva finished her fight for medals.

Water polo players defeated Hong Kong with a large score of 29:15.

Tennis players started the Asian Games successfully. Anna Danilina, Yulia Putintseva, Sonya Zhiyenbayeva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, Alexander Shevchenko, Timofey Skatov, Denis Yevseyev and Beibit Zhukayev together and separately won all of today's matches.

Hockey, volleyball and the medal standings

The women's field hockey team conceded 16 unanswered goals from China at the finish of the group tournament. And will compete with Uzbekistan for the 11th, penultimate place.

Volleyball players started unsuccessfully. Sergei Trikoz's charges unexpectedly lost to Pakistan – 1:3, complicating to the limit their task of reaching the playoffs.

After the eighth day of the Asian Games, Kazakhstan in the unofficial medal standings lags behind Uzbekistan by one gold. However, even if Toksanbayeva's won medal is returned, our team will remain fifth. Since the Uzbekistan team has significantly more silver.

Facts about the Asian Games 2026

The XX Summer Asian Games in Japan officially opened on September 19. In the complex competitions with the participation of athletes from 45 countries, 460 sets of awards are being contested. 217 – among men, 204 – among women and 39 – in mixed categories. As part of the Kazakhstan team at the Asian Games 2026, 558 athletes will compete in 35 sports.

Asian Games 2026 reviews: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7.