Kazakh karateka Nurkanat Azhikanov has climbed onto the third step of the podium at the 2026 Asian Games in the up-to-75-kilogram weight category. In the bout for the bronze medal, he left Filipino Alvin Batichan no chance, winning 10:1, the website infohub.kz reports.
The 25-year-old athlete's path to the medal began with a setback: in the quarterfinals, Azhikanov lost to Iran's Morteza Nemati 0:8. However, his opponent went on to reach the final, which opened the door for the Kazakh to the repechage and gave him a chance to fight for bronze.
In the decisive bout for third place, Azhikanov faced Batichan and confidently carried the match to victory – 10:1.
This is not the Kazakh karateka's first success at the Asian Games: in 2023 in Hangzhou, he became champion in the up-to-75-kilogram category. He also has two bronze medals from the 2021 World Championships – in individual and team kumite. In addition, Azhikanov is a three-time Asian champion: in 2021 he won in team kumite, and in 2023 and 2025 he took first place in the up-to-75-kilogram weight class.
Thanks to this success, Kazakhstan's national team now has 11 medals: five gold, one silver and five bronze.
The official opening of the Games took place on September 19. The multi-sport competition, featuring athletes from 45 countries, will award 460 sets of medals: 217 in men's events, 204 in women's events and 39 in mixed disciplines. Kazakhstan's team at the 2026 Asian Games includes 558 athletes competing in 35 sports.
On the first day of the Games, the Kazakhs won four gold medals. Cyclists Rinata Sultanova and Alexey Lutsenko became champions, along with karatekas Zholaman Bigabyl and Sofya Berultseva. The fifth gold for the team that day was brought home by MMA fighter Yerkingali Burkutalin.
After the second day of competition, Kazakhstan was in fourth place in the unofficial team standings.