Kazakhstan's women's volleyball team ended its run at the Asian Games in Japan with a fourth straight defeat. Following losses to China, South Korea and Chinese Taipei, the Kazakh team fell to Vietnam in the seventh-place match in just over an hour, 0-3 (21-25, 19-25, 15-25), infohub.kz reports.
At the June Asian Nations Cup in the Philippines, Askar Shalkibekov's squad beat Vietnam 3-2 in group play but lost to them 0-3 in the bronze-medal match.
Kazakhstan again failed to handle Vietnam this time. Flashes of solid play by the Kazakh volleyball players alternated with numerous errors. In key moments, Kazakhstan regularly came up short against its opponent, which was reflected in the final result.
The win over the Philippines in the opening match remained the only victory for the Kazakh team at the tournament. After losing to Vietnam, Kazakhstan finished eighth at a second consecutive Asian Games. The team's best result at the continental Games remains the bronze at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
ASIAN GAMES 2026. Volleyball. Women. September 22. Seventh-place match. KAZAKHSTAN – VIETNAM 0-3.
The gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games will be contested today by Japan and China. South Korea and Thailand will play for bronze.
The official opening of the Games took place on September 19. The multi-sport event, 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 events. Kazakhstan's team at the 2026 Asian Games will include 558 athletes in 35 sports.
On the first day of the Games, Kazakhstan won four gold medals. Cyclists Rinata Sultanova and Alexey Lutsenko, as well as karateka Zholaman Bigabyl and Sofya Berultseva, became champions of the Games. After the second day, Kazakhstan was fourth in the unofficial medal standings.