Karaganda Para-Athlete Wins Bronze at International Tournament in Bahrain

Anastassiya Kuturman returned with a bronze medal from the “Manama 2025 World Boccia Challenger” international ranking tournament held in Bahrain. In total, Team Kazakhstan won two medals at the event.

The tournament featured 170 athletes from 14 countries. Kazakhstan was represented by 10 para-athletes from Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, and Pavlodar.

In addition to Kuturman, Kuanysh Askarbekov from Zhetysu Region secured a gold medal.

Boccia has been developing in Karaganda since 2020.

“It all started when I was looking for a suitable sport for my daughter with cerebral palsy. That’s how I discovered boccia. Later, I learned that a PE teacher at an inclusive school in Astana was voluntarily leading a boccia club. Step by step, through networking and support, we founded the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation, and two years ago — the regional one,” said Gauhar Akizhanova, Deputy President of the Karaganda Regional Boccia Federation.