By Tomiris Bilyal
Published on
The World Boxing Championships ended in Liverpool on 14 September, making history as men’s and women’s events were held together for the first time under the new World Boxing federation.
Kazakhstan’s team delivered an outstanding result: seven gold medals, one silver and two bronzes, finishing first in the overall medal table.
Among the men, Sanzhar Tashkenbay (50kg), Makhmud Sabyrkhan (55kg), Torekhan Sabyrkhan (57kg) and Aibek Oralbay (super heavyweight, over 90kg) all secured gold medals.
Among the women, Alua Balkibekova (51kg), Aida Abikeeva (65kg) and Natalya Bogdanova (70kg) all took gold. Silver went to Nazym Kyzaibay in the women’s 48kg division, while Viktoria Grafeeva (60kg) and Yeldana Talipova (over 80kg) each brought home bronze.
Earlier in the year, at the IBA Women’s World Championships in Serbia, Kazakhstan’s women also impressed, winning six medals.
Balkibekova and Abikeeva became champions there too. Their double victories now make them two-time world champions in the same year.
Central Asia’s boxing powerhouses
The battle for the top spot attracted special attention. Central Asian neighbours Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan dominated the medal standings. Uzbekistan finished second with six golds, two silvers and three bronzes.
India came third, while Brazil and Poland also reached the top five.
The biggest breakthrough came from Aibek Oralbay, who for the first time in Kazakhstan’s history won a world title in the super heavyweight category (over 90kg). Until now, no Kazakh boxer had ever reached the top in this weight class.
26-year-old Natalya Bogdanova also made history, becoming world champion at 70kg. The first Kazakh woman ever to do so in this category.
“History written”
Kazakh boxing legend and current president of the National Olympic Committee, Gennadiy Golovkin, celebrated the victory.
“The first World Boxing Championships have come to an end. Thank you, Liverpool – history written! Proud of every boxer who gave it their all. And this is only the beginning,” he said.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also congratulated the national team, noting that their victories inspire the whole country but stressing the importance of preparing for the next big stage; the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Kazakh boxers delivered an excellent result. But the real challenge lies ahead – the Olympic Games in the United States. Preparations must start now. May the pride and tradition of Kazakh boxing always stay strong!” he said.
Kazakhstan’s historic result in Liverpool has sent a powerful message to future generations of athletes.
Kazakh boxing is moving forward into a new era, aiming for success at the Olympic Games in the United States.
World Boxing was created in 2023 after the International Boxing Association (IBA) lost IOC recognition. The new federation now unites more than 100 national bodies and is officially recognised by the IOC.