After making a strong push for the podium on April 15, the opening day of the 6th Asian Youth Athletics Championship, both of Kazakhstan’s heptathletes secured medals following their performances in the final four events on April 16.
At the 6th Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the girls' heptathlon featured four athletes — two from Kazakhstan and two from Uzbekistan. But despite the small field, the road to the podium was anything but easy.
Sofia Nikolaeva of Uzbekistan took an early lead after the opening 100m hurdles. However, Shymkent native Polina Kuzubova struck back quickly, seizing the lead with a personal best of 1.70 metres in the high jump — a key performance that allowed her to overtake her main rival. Kuzubova continued her momentum by setting another personal best in the shot put, further strengthening her position. In the 200m — the final event of Day 1 — Nikolaeva managed to close the gap slightly.
The second day of competition on April 16 began with the long jump. The fight for gold reached new heights, with only one centimetre separating the two leading contenders: Kuzubova jumped 5.52 metres, while Nikolaeva reached 5.51. It's worth noting that all participants in this championship are under 18, born no earlier than 2008.
Kuzubova once again came out on top in the javelin throw, with Nikolaeva close behind. The Uzbek athlete didn’t give up — even winning the final event, the 800 metres — but Polina stayed sharp and held onto her lead, ultimately capturing the **gold medal** in the heptathlon at the 6th Asian Youth Championship! Nikolaeva of Uzbekistan took **silver**.
The **bronze medal** went to Asylzat Kydyrbay from the Kyzylorda Region, who won the 200m — one of the seven disciplines — and set multiple personal records throughout the competition, earning her well-deserved spot on the podium.
**Pictured**: Polina Kuzubova and Asylzat Kydyrbay — the gold and bronze medalists of the Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Saudi Arabia.
