Just as it was three weeks ago at the Youth Games, the main contenders for victory in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Kazakhstan Athletics Championships were once again Akbilek Kuralbai and Uldanay Abylkhan.
The latest chapter in their rivalry played out on July 11, during Day Two of the Kazakhstan Championships, held at the Olympic Training Centre stadium in Almaty Region.
Three weeks earlier, on the same track during the VI Summer Youth Games, these two athletes were the center of attention in the steeplechase. Akbilek claimed victory with a time of 10:58.16, while Uldanay finished just behind in 10:59.45.
This time, they once again led the race and significantly distanced themselves from the rest of the field. And once again, it was Kuralbai who came out on top — giving herself the perfect birthday gift in the form of a national title. On the day of the race, July 11, she turned 21. Her winning time: 11:08.88.
Uldanay Abylkhan added another silver medal to her collection, finishing in 11:09.78. Interestingly, she also celebrated her birthday earlier in the week — turning 18 on July 7.
Third place went to 23-year-old Sevinch Kyazim from Zhambyl Region, who crossed the line in 12:24.94.
It’s worth noting that compared to the Youth Games, Uldanay managed to close the gap between her and Akbilek. This time the margin was less than a second — an encouraging sign and extra motivation for both athletes as their rivalry continues to grow.
July 11 – Kazakhstan Athletics Championships. Women’s 3000m Steeplechase.
- Akbilek Kuralbai (Shymkent) – 11:08.88
- Uldanay Abylkhan (Turkistan Region) – 11:09.78
- Sevinch Kyazim (Zhambyl Region) – 12:24.94
In the photo: In 2025, Akbilek Kuralbai first won the steeplechase at the VI Youth Games — and now she’s claimed the national title. Photo by Konstantin Knyazevich.
