Looking at the Kostanay region team’s entry for the Youth Games, it gives the impression that athletics in this region relies mainly on three events – the 100, 200, and 400 meters.
At the VI national Youth Games, athletics competitions will take place from June 19 to 21 in the Almaty region at the Olympic Training Center stadium. Kostanay region will be represented by 13 athletes, 11 of whom will compete in sprint events – the 100, 200, and 400 meters:
Adil Takanov – 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m;
Yevgeniy Fedorenko – 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m;
Nikita Kozlov – 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m, 4x400 m;
Danil Litvinov – 200 m, 400 m, 4x100 m, 4x400 m;
Miras Zhamarov – 400 m, 4x100 m, 4x400 m;
Daniil Losev – 800 m, 4x400 m;
Daur Dospulov – 800 m, 1500 m, 4x400 m;
Angelina Aal – 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m, 4x400 m;
Kira Zaripova – 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m, 4x400 m;
Valeriya Smirnova – 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m, long jump;
Alina Gritsashchenko – 200 m, 400 m, 4x400 m;
Alyona Kuzmich – 400 m, 4x400 m;
Tatyana Kolesnikova – 4x100 m, 4x400 m.
What stands out is the wide range of ages among the Kostanay team members, who were born between 2003 and 2008.
As for results, in 2025, Kostanay athletes have not yet managed to reach the podium in individual events at national competitions. However, they have achieved success in relays at several meets. In January, at the Kazakhstan Indoor Cup in Astana, the Kostanay women's team won gold in the 4x400 meter relay. The winning quartet included Tatyana Kolesnikova and Kira Zaripova, both of whom will compete at the Youth Games. In the 4x200 meter relay, the team took bronze, with three of the four runners being of “youth” age: Kolesnikova, Zaripova, and Valeriya Smirnova.
In February, at the indoor junior championship for athletes born in 2006 or later, Kostanay took second place in the mixed 4x400 meter relay. The team consisted of Nikita Kozlov, Miras Zhamarov, Alyona Kuzmich, and Kira Zaripova — all of whom will also compete at the Youth Games.
Now, at these Games, the athletes from Kostanay region and their coaches will need to prove their competitiveness — both in individual events and in relays.
In the photo: On the track – Alyona Kuzmich (No. 99) from Kostanay region.
