2025 Asian Judo Championships: Will Team Kazakhstan Avenge Last Year’s Setback?
From April 25 to 28, Bangkok, Thailand, will host the 2025 Asian Judo Championships. This competition carries special significance for Team Kazakhstan following a disappointing performance in 2024.
This year, the Kazakh team will compete without many of its leading athletes. Eldos Smetov, Abiba Abuzhakynova, Kamila Berlikash, Abaylykhan Zhubanazar, Zhanarys Rakhmetkali, Mazhzan Shamshadin, and Gusman Kiryzhbayev will not be participating. The coaching staff is giving younger and less experienced judokas a chance to prove themselves.
As such, it’s difficult to predict medals. However, key team members like Yerasyl Kazhybayev, Galiya Tynbayeva, Esmigul Kuyulova, Nazgul Maratova, Bakyt Kusakbayeva, and Sherzod Davlatov are considered the main medal contenders.
Last year, Kazakhstan failed to secure a single gold medal or reach any finals. The team earned only three bronze medals in individual events and one in the mixed team competition.
Coaches hope to win at least one gold this time.
“It’s hard to make clear predictions. Judo is extremely demanding, requiring not just physical but also mental and tactical strength. One decision or mistake can change everything. Still, we have strong faith in our athletes. The preparation has been thorough,” said team consultant Robert Mshvidobadze.
Team Roster:
Men:
-
Nuradil Alzhan (-60 kg)
-
Sherzod Davlatov (-60 kg)
-
Erzhan Erenkaiypov (-66 kg)
-
Eset Kuanov (-73 kg)
-
Madi Amangeldy (-81 kg)
-
Azat Kumisbay (-81 kg)
-
Yermahan Anuarbekov (-90 kg)
-
Maksim Meirlan (-90 kg)
-
Yerasyl Kazhybayev (+100 kg)
Women:
-
Galiya Tynbayeva (-48 kg)
-
Diana Burkeeva (-48 kg)
-
Tolganay Abeuova (-52 kg)
-
Bakyt Kusakbayeva (-57 kg)
-
Esmigul Kuyulova (-63 kg)
-
Kristina Sotnikova (-70 kg)
-
Nazgul Maratova (+78 kg)
-
Akerke Ramazanova (+78 kg)
Reserves: Talgat Orynbasar (-60 kg), Yerdaulet Bozsha (-66 kg), Bakytzhan Abdurakhmanov (-73 kg), Marat Baykamurov (-100 kg)
Notably, Kazakhstan isn’t the only nation bringing an experimental lineup—many teams are fielding younger athletes. However, this won’t reduce the tournament’s level, as there will still be plenty of elite judokas competing.
