22-year-old Kadyrbek Shynbayev won the gold medal at the XX Summer Asian Games held in the Japanese cities of Aichi and Nagoya. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
The information was confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The representative of Kazakhstan's national team won in mixed martial arts (MMA) in the modern discipline in the weight category up to 71 kg.
Historic achievement
The ministry's statement notes that MMA was included in the Asian Games program for the first time this year. Kadyrbek Shynbayev became the second Kazakhstani to win Asian Games gold in this sport.
"MMA was included in the Asian Games program for the first time this year. Kadyrbek Shynbayev became the second Kazakhstani to win Asian Games gold in this sport," the statement says.
Two major victories in a year
It is worth noting that Kadyrbek Shynbayev became the Asian champion in MMA among adults in January 2026. At the continental championship, the Kazakhstani athlete defeated representatives of Mongolia, China, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Thus, the 22-year-old athlete achieved victory in two major continental-level tournaments within one year, becoming Asian champion and Asian Games winner.
Previous achievement
Recall that earlier Kazakhstani MMA master Yerkingali Burkitallin became champion at the XX Summer Asian Games. The Asian Games brought Kazakhstan its fifth gold medal.