Sunkar Karabalin, a member of the media commission of Asian Athletics Association. Published with the support of sports news portal Vesti.kz.
For 30 years, we have not fallen out of the race. History and wonders of Kazakhstan’s track and field athletics.
The history of Olympic sports in Kazakhstan began with track and field athletics. Its representative, Yevgeny Kadyaykin, was the first athlete from Kazakhstan to participate in the most important event in the career of every athlete. From that first moment, a flow of talent and the appearance of various traditions began to rapidly develop across the country.
Origin
The famous Kadyaykin was included in the USSR national team back in 1953. He was noticed at the All-Union competitions in Moscow, where he finished fourth in the 3000 meter steeplechase. He achieved his Olympic dream in Melbourne in 1956, even though he did not get on the podium. Nevertheless, he started a rich and great history…
The first steps were like a bright flash – fast, elusive, and challenging. All the moments and achievements were collected and put together. These achievements were encouraged by talented athletes, driven by the great desire to reach that place where one could touch the sun. The feeling of absolute freedom that kept athletes on the tracks and fields. For this experience, athletes have spent and continue to spend half their lives. And the weary past turned into the golden pages of the chronicle of Kazakhstan’s athletics.
The appearing medals have provided the opportunity to prove ourselves where initially it seemed unreachable and distant, where once completely different countries held power and sway.
A powerful impulse of growth and passion was maintained. None of the Kazakh athletes lost heart or skimped from a distance. They were not suppressed by temporary failures in the period of other athletes’ triumphs. They believed in a just reward – a medal for hard work and victory for the pain suffered in training. That is the true meaning of ‘sport’.
To miss the chance to compete meant disaster for the athlete. That is how character was built. Dedication to the work of athletes brought the results, which turned from the simple local triumphs into something rather special. We have a right to be proud and look forward to achieving other victories…
High achievements turned into miracles. Just as lighthouses, they keep lighting up the way for new heroes.
Gusman Kosanov and Amin Tuyakov
A new age in the history of Kazakhstan’s athletics began with these two. The difficult path of athletes is not devoid of lyrics and drama. A vivid example for the price of medals, achievements and getting into one of the strongest national teams of the time.
Kosanov is the first Kazakh to reach the Olympic podium. In Rome 1960, he won a silver medal for the Soviet Union in the relays. Meanwhile, despite not having a chance to try on an Olympic medal, Tuyakov played a crucial role in the team. With the achievements of these athletes, the traditions acquired clear shapes.
Veniamin Soldatenko
Another from the list of legendary athletes. In 1972, he finished second in the 50 km race walking at the Olympic Games in Munich. This was his Olympic victory with still the prospect of the next Games. However, he didn’t get a chance to change his medal to “gold” in Mexico City as race walking was excluded from the Games program. Nevertheless, the compensation was the gold medal of the World Championship in 1976.
Following these footsteps, famous Vladimir Muravyov (two-time champion of the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1988), Tatyana Lesovaya (bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in 1980), Vitaly Savvin (Olympic champion in 1988), and Grigory Yegorov (bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in 1988) together made a huge contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s athletics. Each has his own story and his own path. Such examples were inspiring our athletes in newly independent Republic of Kazakhstan.
Independent Kazakhstan. Olga Shishigina
Olga Shishigina is a Sydney 2000 Olympic champion in the 100-meter hurdles, World champion in 1998, silver medalist at the 1996 Winter and Summer World Championships, and bronze medalist at the 2001 Summer World Championships. Olga showed the world the meaning of stability and fast finish.
She is the winner of the 1994 and 1998 Asian Games. It is an impressive ‘business card’ that speaks for itself, as well as for the entire track and field athletics of Kazakhstan.
After Shishigina, the national team of Kazakhstan won Olympic medals at every Games.
Dmitry Karpov
The best decathlete in the history of athletics in Kazakhstan. He achieved his triumph at the Olympic Games in Athens. In 2004, Karpov won the bronze medal in the most persistent struggle for victory. What a sweet taste of nostalgia. Only a few know that he performed with an injury he had received after the high jump. Dmitry almost could not finish his performance, but decided not to leave the track. As a result, he won third place and glory with hopes for the future progress of our athletes.
He still holds the Asian record of 8725 points. Even nowadays, with the significant rise in results and progress of track and field athletics, Karpov could still come into the reckoning for one of the highest scores at international level (the world record is 9126 points).
Olga Rypakova
The current icon of Kazakhstan’s athletics and the most decorated athlete in the country. Today Olga Rypakova is the owner of the Olympic bronze medal (Rio-2016), silver medal (Beijing-2008), and a gold medal (London-2012) in the triple jump. She is the medalist of three World Championships. She won the same number of medals at the World Indoor Championship (one of which is ‘gold’). Not to mention she has appeared on podiums at continental competitions and various world tournaments. Now Rypakova is preparing for her fourth Olympic Games. The responsibility is high – the history continues to be written.
Kosanov Memorial
Kosanov Memorial Track and Field Tournament is one of the main international competitions in athletics, which is held in Kazakhstan. For many world athletes, this tournament is the most important part of the Olympic cycle. It allows the athletes not only to prepare for the Games but also to meet the standards. It is especially useful for Asian teams where the competitive schedule on the continent is not as wide.
The national team of Kazakhstan also uses these competitions as a part of its training program. Many champions were participants of the Kosanov Memorial. In 2019, a Russian athlete Daria Klishina, a silver medalist at the 2017 World Cup, visited the tournament. Another function of the competition is to reveal the potential of the reserve and young talents.
In 2021, the tournament will again be held as an Olympic qualifying event. Many teams from Asia have already announced their participation. It is possible this competition will open the door to the Tokyo Games for some athletes. Competition will take place on June 19-20.
Speaking of international competitions, the Almaty Marathon has turned into a large-scale event. Originally a race for amateurs, it has become the largest sports event not only in Kazakhstan but across Asia. Every year, the number of participants in the marathon is increasing and the geography of participants is expanding.
A track at the Central Stadium
The development of any sport requires specific and suitable conditions, and especially reliable infrastructure. In track and field athletics, this issue is being resolved gradually, but at a growing pace.
High-quality training of the national team and organization of major competitions required modern venues and tracks. The eventual solution was to equip the Central Stadium in Almaty with a modern track, which in 2011 received the World Athletics certificate.
At the same time, the ultramodern sports halls in Ust-Kamenogorsk and Nur-Sultan should not be left unmentioned. The latter will become the venue for the first Asian Winter Championship in the history of the country.
Asian Impulse
Kazakhstan’s athletics is developing to become a key player around Asia. It is not only about success in the domestic arena, within the entire structure of the region, our representatives are trusted with the opportunity to keep improving this sport.
Strong ties have been established between the Federations and the Asian Association. This cooperation also extends to the training of judges and coaches with experts from other countries visiting Kazakhstan for special training courses. And it is worth to mention the ongoing development did not lose its momentum.
For 30 years, the active development of athletics has been supported by the National Federation. The activity includes not only providing high-quality conditions, but also forming strong ties with sports structures within and beyond the continent.
The inclusion of representatives from Kazakhstan in the Commission of the Asian Athletics Association was a recognition of their merits and current achievements. Hence, the General Secretary of the Federation Askhat Seysembek was appointed a member of the Competition Commission and Olga Rypakova became a member of the Athletes’ Commission. In 2020, Sunkar Karabalin’s candidature was validated for a place in the New Mass Media Commission, which was created under the leadership of the Asian Association headed by general Dahlan Al-Hamad.
Succession
High jumps take an exceptional place in Kazakhstan’s track and field athletics. It is one of the most successful sports in our country. Moreover, in the vast region of Asia, our athletes have been dominating this field for quite a long time.
The reality is such that hopes for medals are associated with not only one athlete, but with several athletes at once.
Kristina Ovchinnikova made a true breakthrough in both the previous and current seasons by sustaining incredibly high results. She came close to the leader of the team Nadezhda Dubovitskaya and this confrontation has led to an interesting competition.
Both athletes in the winter season stormed the Olympic standard. They missed only by few centimeters. Nevertheless, at the last national championship, the target was achieved. Both performed at a level to qualify for the Olympic Games. On top of all, Dubovitskaya hit a record for Asia, which has remained unbroken since 2009. The highest achievement (1.99 meters) belonged to Marina Aitova from Kazakhstan, who set this record in Athens. Speaking of which, Marina Aitova ‘kept the torch burning’ and took over the baton from another athlete from Kazakhstan – Yekaterina Yevseyeva.
Olympic Legacy
In total 159 athletes from Kazakhstan have participated in the Olympic Games. They have won five gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals (some of which were won as part of the USSR). We have the examples, we have role models, we have the inspiring stories. All that is left is to save everything and multiply the results.
Traditions
Each head of Kazakhstan’s track and field athletics is named in the honor of triumphants: Soldatenko, Kosanov, Muravyov, Savvin, Lesovaya, Yegorov, Kadyaykin, Shishigina, Karpov, Rypakova. Their mark became a part of our tradition, which should not be only a matter of pride, but also a vision for the future. This is our foundation which demonstrates the presence of talent and personalities in our country who can raise our flag at world competitions.
This is a starting point for beginners not the final lap of honor. Every achievement was not in vain and will stand forever. Achievements will not stay in silence. Only a rapid progress through the numerous obstacles that stand before us. Isn’t it the real beauty of sport? All steps and finishes are carved in history. And there are still empty pages for new chapters. For 30 years, we have not fallen out of the race.
It should be noted that the national team of Kazakhstan has already achieved 70 qualifications for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, 9 of which are for track and field athletics.
