Kazakhstan has solidified its position as a leading nation in the sport of boxing following the conclusion of the World Boxing Championship among men in 2023. With an impressive performance, Kazakhstan secured second place in the team standings, reaffirming its dominance in the sport.
The President of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, Kenes Rakishev, expressed gratitude to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his unwavering support of boxing in the country. Rakishev also extended his thanks to the passionate fans who have shown immense support throughout the championship.
President Tokayev, in a public acknowledgement, commended the accomplishments of the Kazakh athletes. In a post on Twitter, he congratulated Sanzhar Tashkenbay, Makhmud Sabyrkhan, Aslanbek Shymbergenov, and Nurbek Oralbay for their outstanding performance, showcasing top-level boxing skills, determination, and patriotism.
Kazakhstan’s success in boxing is not a recent phenomenon. Over the past few years, both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have displayed remarkable achievements in the sport. The Kazakh team emerged victorious at the Asian Championships held in Jordan in 2022, with Uzbekistan securing second place. At the recently concluded World Boxing Championship, Kazakhstan outperformed Russia, Cuba, France, and other participating nations under the auspices of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Kenes Rakishev, in his capacity as the head of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, played a crucial role in Kazakhstan’s boxing achievements. Besides actively contributing to the formation of the team and its preparation, Rakishev has been instrumental in providing additional financial support for the development of boxing and rewarding the country’s top athletes. This year, each of the winners of the tournament received a personal prize fund of $100,000 from Rakishev.
Looking ahead, Kazakhstan’s boxers will face pre-qualification for the 2024 Olympics. Their performance at the Asian Games in China will play a vital role in determining their path to the Olympics. Rakishev expressed his hopes that the Kazakh athletes will maintain their motivation and continue to build upon the successes achieved in recent years.
The rise of Kazakhstan as a leader in world boxing can be attributed to the unwavering support of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the dedication of the athletes, and the visionary leadership of Kenes Rakishev, who has been instrumental in nurturing and promoting the sport in the country. With their combined efforts, Kazakhstan’s boxing future appears to be bright and promising.