The Kazakhstan national team has finalized its roster for the World Judo Championships, which will take place from October 4 to 11 in Baku. In Azerbaijan, the country will be represented by 15 athletes — nine men and six women. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
This was announced by the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Abiba Abuzhakynova — one of the team's main hopes
One of the team's main hopes remains Abiba Abuzhakynova. At the 2025 World Championships in Budapest, she reached the final in the under-48 kg category and won silver. This medal was the only one for Kazakhstan at the previous world championship. Previously, Abuzhakynova became a bronze medalist at the World Championships twice.
Abylaikhan Zhubanazar also in the roster
Abylaikhan Zhubanazar will also compete in the lineup. At the end of August, the Kazakhstani athlete won the Grand Slam in Lausanne in the under-81 kg category. In the current season, he also won bronze at the Asian Championships and the Grand Slam in Paris.
Individual and mixed team events
Kazakhstani judokas will participate in both the individual championship and the mixed team tournament. The World Championships in Baku includes 14 individual weight categories — seven each for men and women.
Significance in the Olympic cycle
The tournament has additional significance in the Olympic cycle: the International Judo Federation previously reported that the 2026 World Championships will become the starting point of the qualification period for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.