2026 Asian Games Conclude: Kazakhstan Ranks Eighth Overall

The XX Summer Asian Games have officially concluded in Japan, marked by a closing ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, where the multi-sport event originally opened on September 19.

Athletes participated in the traditional parade that seamlessly blended the athletic and cultural highlights of the ceremony. Sixteen-year-old gymnast Akmaral Yerekesheva carried the flag of Kazakhstan during her debut Asian Games. After entering the individual all-around final in first place, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth position.

The organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia honored the Most Valuable Players (MVP) of the Games. Thirteen-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi earned the women's award after securing three gold medals and setting new competition records, making her the youngest MVP in Asian Games history. On the men's side, 20-year-old Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson was named MVP after triumphing in both the 100m and 200m events while breaking Games records.

Held from September 19 to October 4, the 16-day tournament featured 469 medal events across 43 sports among 46 participating nations. Team Kazakhstan finished eighth in the overall medal standings, accumulating 84 medals in total: 12 gold, 24 silver, and 48 bronze.

Key highlights for the national team included a gold medal victory by the men's epee fencing team on September 27 and a silver medal performance by Norah Jeruto in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:06.82. Judoka Yeldos Smetov and table tennis player Sarvinoz Mirkadirova served as Kazakhstan's flag-bearers during the opening ceremony, while the team's early podium finishes came from karate and mixed martial arts.