An intense battle unfolded on July 4 in the junior men’s 800 meters – on the second day of the Kazakhstan U20 Athletics Championships (for athletes born in 2006 or later).
The stadium of the Olympic Training Centre in Almaty Region has become a familiar venue for national-level athletics events. And the athletes in the third and most anticipated heat of the 800 meters – the medal contenders – already had a sense of who they’d be up against. Adding to the drama, they started on neighboring lanes.
We’re talking about Alexander Akimov from Karagandy Region and two athletes from Zhetysu Region – Olzhas Muminkulov and Eldos Yerbol. Already on the first lap, a clear gap formed between this trio and the rest of the field. After 400 meters, Muminkulov was in the lead. Of the three medal hopefuls, he was the youngest – born in 2008. His two rivals were both born in 2006.
Still, it was clear after the first lap that Akimov was pushing hard to keep up with Muminkulov’s pace. Yerbol began to trail slightly behind the other two.
In the end, Alexander Akimov managed to settle the fierce contest in his favor. He crossed the finish line first in 1 minute 54.99 seconds. Second place went to Olzhas Muminkulov – not yet out of youth category (under 18) – with 1:56.31. Eldos Yerbol finished third in 1:57.63.
The winner achieved the standard for Candidate for Master of Sport. The other two medalists posted results that meet the first-class level. It’s worth noting the heat, even though the race started around 5:40 PM. Still, the main factor was clearly the real, spirited competition for medals – and that, as they say, is the engine of progress.
July 4. Kazakhstan U20 Athletics Championships. 800 meters. Junior men.
- Alexander Akimov (Karagandy Region) – 1:54.99
- Olzhas Muminkulov (Zhetysu Region) – 1:56.31
- Eldos Yerbol (Zhetysu Region) – 1:57.63
In the photo: July 4, 2025. In the middle of the race – Alexander Akimov (No. 22), Olzhas Muminkulov (No. 58, center), and Eldos Yerbol (No. 57).
