Kazakhstan's women's national team defeated Singapore 12:7 (2:2, 3:1, 4:3, 3:1) in the opening match of the water polo tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Our girls took the lead for the first time three minutes before the end of the first period – 2:1. Before the break, Singapore managed to equalize. However, after the second quarter, the Kazakh team led 5:3.

In the second half of the match, the charges of Montenegrin coach Zoran Maslovar strengthened their advantage. And they secured an important victory – 12:7. Four goals each were scored by center back Olga Vorontsova and driver (as a mobile forward is now commonly called) Anastasia Mirshina.

🏐 JAPAN – THAILAND 27:7, KAZAKHSTAN – SINGAPORE 12:7, CHINA – UZBEKISTAN 32:6

Six teams are participating in the women's water polo tournament. The winner and medalists will be determined after the round-robin competition. Tomorrow our girls will play against the Japanese team, which crushed Thailand 27:7 at the start. On September 22, the Kazakh team will compete with the Thais, on the 23rd – with the favorite China, and on the 24th – with Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan women's water polo team at Asian Games 2026

🏐 Goalkeepers: Alexandra Zharkimbayeva and Maria Martynenko

🏐 Defenders: Valeria Anosova, Olga Vorontsova, Yulia Druzhinina, Victoria Kaplun, Milena Nabiyeva, Anna Novikova and Alina Ozkaya

🏐 Forwards: Anastasia Tsoi, Anastasia Mirshina, Kamila Nauryzbayeva, Darya Pochinok, Madina Rakhmanova and Elizaveta Rudneva

The women's water polo tournament is being held at the Asian Games for only the fifth time. China has won all previous editions. Kazakhstan has twice been vice-champion (2010, 2018) and twice won bronze (2014, 2022).

About Asian Games 2026

The XX Summer Asian Games in Japan officially opened yesterday, September 19. In the multi-sport competition with athletes from 45 countries, 460 sets of medals will be awarded. 217 – among men, 204 – among women and 39 – in mixed categories. Tournaments will be held in 68 disciplines of 41 sports.

Kazakhstan's national team at Asian Games 2026 will feature 559 athletes. Today, Kazakh athletes have already won four gold medals. The champions of the Games are cyclists Rinata Sultanova and Alexey Lutsenko, as well as karatekas Zholaman Bigabyl and Sofia Berultseva.