Athletes of the Karaganda region were awarded for achievements at the Deaflympics

At the XXV Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Karaganda residents won five medals, two of which were gold. The winners and prize-winners were honored in the akimat of the region. The athletes and their mentors were awarded cash prizes for their high achievements.

– You had a big task ahead of you – to show the potential of Kazakhstani sports to the whole world with your victories. I wish you all further success and new heights at the most prestigious competitions," Head of the Surdimpi region Ermaganbet Bulekpayev congratulated the Surdimpi residents.

Yerkebulan Kanafin has been practicing judo for about 25 years. He has already won several world-class victories. These are the second Deaflympic Games in the athlete's biography, and he won both championships.

In Tokyo, Yerkebulan Kanafin competed among athletes with hearing loss in the 81 kg weight category. In the final bout, he defeated Hungarian judoka Patrick Otvosh. As a result, the Karaganda resident brought two gold medals to the national team's piggy bank – in the individual and team competitions.

Sergey Dmitrenko trains the athlete. He noted that victory is the result of teamwork.

– All the opponents were very strong. The most difficult matches were with athletes from Algeria and Japan. Responsible training and coach's instructions, hard training helped to win," Yerkebulan Kanafin said.

The Deaflympic champion advises young people to work hard, set goals and achieve them.

Taekwondo athletes Ayan Abdrash (58 kg),

Aizhamol Abdikatova (57 kg)

and Aida Makatova (67 kg) won bronze medals.

– I am glad that the Paralympic sport is developing here. I will try my best to win gold," Aida Makatova promised.

Ruslan Ishchanov, President of the Republican Deafthekwondo Federation and coach, said that today 85 athletes with hearing impairments are engaged in the field of taekwondo. In this sport, the region holds a leading position in the country.

Akim of the region instructed to improve conditions for athletes with disabilities.