For Kazakhstan’s standout 400m hurdler Adelina Zems, this national championship became her third race in the past month where she managed to improve on her previous results — proving once again she’s the one to beat.
In Kazakhstan, the Karaganda native is the undisputed leader in the women’s 400m hurdles. And she confirmed that once again on July 12 at the national championships, held at the Olympic Training Centre stadium in Almaty Region.
Adelina claimed a confident victory, crossing the line in 57.51 seconds — her fastest time in this recent stretch of races. On June 21, she won the international Gennady Arzumanov Memorial meet in Tashkent with 58.30. A week later, on June 28, she clocked 59.34 to win the Kazakhstan Cup at this same venue.
Now, at the national championships, Adelina managed to top both those marks. In fact, this season she’s already set a new personal best — 56.73, achieved on May 31 at the Asian Championships in Gumi, South Korea, where she placed fourth in the final.
In addition to Adelina’s win, experts also highlighted the performance of runner-up Ekaterina Koloda. The 18-year-old from Astana ran a personal best of 59.79, breaking the 1-minute barrier for the first time and meeting the Master of Sport qualifying standard.
Third place went to experienced Svetlana Kuznetsova from North Kazakhstan Region — 1:01.21. Just five-hundredths of a second behind her was 16-year-old Evelina Ryabkova from East Kazakhstan, bronze medallist at the 2025 Asian Youth Championships — 1:01.26.
July 12 – Kazakhstan Athletics Championships. 400m Hurdles. Women
- Adelina Zems (Karaganda Region) – 57.51
- Ekaterina Koloda (Astana) – 59.79
- Svetlana Kuznetsova (North Kazakhstan Region) – 1:01.21
In the photo: July 12, 2025. Medalists in the women’s 400m hurdles. Left to right – Ekaterina Koloda, Adelina Zems, and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
