Three-time world boxing champion Nazym Kyzaibay failed to clear her first hurdle at the 2026 Asian Games, losing a split decision to China's Zhao Xuan in the round of 16 of the 54 kg weight class, with judges scoring the bout 1:4, infohub.kz reports.
The fight did not go the Kazakh athlete's way. The opening round went to the Chinese boxer, 4:1 on the judges' scorecards. In the second round, Zhao Xuan's advantage was narrow at 3:2, and all five judges unanimously awarded the final three-minute round to the Chinese fighter.
This was Kyzaibay's second appearance at the Asian Games: at the previous 2022 Games in Hangzhou, she was eliminated in the quarterfinals. The Kazakh boxer's resume also includes a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics and three world championship titles, won in 2014, 2016 and 2025.
Meanwhile, another Kazakh representative remains in contention for medals. Earlier, Alua Balkibekova defeated India's Sakshi Chaudhary in the 51 kg category to advance to the quarterfinals. She will face Japan's Yuna Nishinaka on September 28 for a place in the semifinals.
The XX Summer Asian Games in Japan officially opened on September 19. 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.