A truly strategic victory for Aktobe Region’s athletics came courtesy of Islam Abylkhanuly, who delivered a stunning performance at the Kazakhstan Cup.
It’s rare to see representatives from Aktobe Region at national-level athletics competitions. That doesn’t mean the sport doesn’t exist there — it’s just not a regional priority. As a result, there are numerous challenges, especially when it comes to funding trips for athletes and coaches to major national events. So the very fact that an athlete from Aktobe competed at this year’s Kazakhstan Cup is noteworthy. But he didn’t just compete — he won gold in the 10,000 metres!
We’re talking about 23-year-old Islam Abylkhanuly. His event took place on June 26, the opening day of the Kazakhstan Athletics Cup, held at the Olympic Training Centre stadium in Almaty Region.
Runners in the men’s 10,000 metres represented Pavlodar, West Kazakhstan, Zhetysu, and Aktobe Regions, as well as Almaty.
Islam Abylkhanuly crossed the finish line first with a time of 32 minutes and 48.25 seconds — a comfortable lead over his closest rivals. In second was Almaty’s Yerzhan Zhanarstanov (33:34.37), and third went to Murat Zhuragat, also from Almaty (34:07.31).
The word “sensation” in the headline refers not just to the race outcome, but to the fact that an Aktobe athlete competed at all in this year’s national championship. As for Abylkhanuly himself, he’s made efforts to compete whenever possible and has earned podium finishes before. But this time, he claimed the top spot.
According to Kazakhstan’s national long-distance coach, Sergey Tulapin, Abylkhanuly’s trips are funded by his parents, as the regional government does not provide financial support. In fact, he came to this Kazakhstan Cup alone — without a coach or team official. Yet that didn’t stop him from securing a decisive victory.
Let’s hope the shine of Islam Abylkhanuly’s gold medal inspires Aktobe Region not only to pay attention to athletics but to invest in the sport — helping other talented athletes from the region realise their potential.
June 26 – Kazakhstan Cup in Athletics – Men’s 10,000 Metres
- Islam Abylkhanuly (Aktobe Region) – 32:48.25
- Yerzhan Zhanarstanov (Almaty) – 33:34.37
- Murat Zhuragat (Almaty) – 34:07.31
In the photo: the Kazakhstan Cup 10,000m medalists. Center: Islam Abylkhanuly.
