The situation with athletics in the West Kazakhstan Region currently looks like an attempt to wake the sport from hibernation. At national competitions, participants from this region can sometimes be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Not only the results, but the very absence of participants from West Kazakhstan Region at several major national competitions makes it hard to speak optimistically about the state of athletics in the region.
For example, it was especially disappointing that the region was not represented at the Kazakhstan Indoor Cup in Astana in January, nor at the junior national championship in Ust-Kamenogorsk in late February for athletes born in 2006–2007.
In mid-February, at the 34th Indoor National Championship in Astana, West Kazakhstan Region took last place—17th—in the team standings. That’s not surprising, as it was represented by only one athlete—22-year-old Beibarys Izgali. He didn’t make the top ten in the 3000 meters, possibly just running to score some points, but took third in the 2000-meter steeplechase. Still, one man is not enough.
A week later in Ust-Kamenogorsk, at the U23 National Championship, Beibarys won silver in the 2000-meter steeplechase, placing West Kazakhstan Region 16th out of 17.
At the national indoor youth championship in Astana (January) for athletes born in 2008–2009, the region was represented by only two athletes, both younger than their peers. The result: 17th place in the team ranking.
In February, at the championship in Ust-Kamenogorsk for athletes born in 2010–2011, the region had 15 participants. Still, it finished 17th out of 18 teams. However, in the 1500-meter steeplechase, Beknur Masangaliyev won silver and Murat Zhenisov took bronze.
The main reason for the low participation and weak results is poor infrastructure. The stadium for young athletes needs investment. Their indoor facility is the building of a former shooting range.
At the end of March in Almaty, during the national winter championship in throwing, race walking, and road running, Beknur Masangaliyev took third in the 3 km run—proof that the region has athletes who can win medals.
The main strength of West Kazakhstan athletics has long been race walking. Among men, 35-year-old Georgiy Sheiko took first place in the 10 km (41:04.93). Among women, 34-year-old Polina Repina finished third (47:52.37). Both results exceed the Master of Sport standard. Thanks to these veterans, the team placed 12th out of 16.
However, everyone knows that although they still represent West Kazakhstan, Repina and Sheiko have lived and trained in Almaty for a long time. This also reflects the current state of athletics in the region.
In the photo: Georgiy Sheiko. Photo: qazathletics website.
