Kazakhstan's women's handball team closed out its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games with a convincing 35:20 (15:9) win over Uzbekistan in the tournament's final match, infohub.kz reports.

Marina Pikalova's side controlled the game from start to finish. The Kazakh players made their decisive move midway through the first half, turning a 6:5 lead into 11:5. Captain Irina Khasakhanova scored twice in that stretch, with Zhanerke Seitkasym, Veronika Khardina and Aida Zhaparova adding a goal each.

After taking the first half by a six-goal margin (15:9), the Kazakhs played with even more freedom after the break and cruised to a 35:20 victory. Khasakhanova, Aida Zhaparova and Zhanerke Kuandykova finished with six goals apiece. Goalkeepers Damira Zhaparova and Zhannat Aitenova once again impressed with a string of fine saves.

Having played all their matches at the tournament, the Kazakh handball players moved up to third place with six points. China, however, has played two games fewer and needs to beat underdogs Hong Kong and Vietnam to force its way into the medal race.

Kazakhstan's women's handball team had previously finished as Asian Games runners-up twice, in 2002 and 2006. At the 2014 Asian Games, the team took bronze.

The 20th Summer Asian Games officially opened on September 19 and will close on October 4. Athletes from 45 countries are competing for 460 sets of medals. Kazakhstan's team at the 2026 Asian Games comprises 558 athletes in 35 sports.

On the first day of the Games, Kazakhstan won four gold medals. Cyclists Rinata Sultanova and Alexey Lutsenko, along with karateka Zholaman Bigabyl and Sofia Berultseva, became champions. MMA fighter Yerkingali Burkutalin added a fifth gold to the team's tally, and his mixed martial arts teammate Kadyrbek Shynbaev claimed the sixth. On September 23, Lutsenko became a two-time champion of the 2026 Asian Games. The eighth gold medal was won on September 24 by rowers Vladislav Yakovlev and Ivan Chernukhin in the men's coxless pairs.

After six days of competition, Kazakhstan sat fourth in the unofficial medal standings.