Kazakh karateka Sofya Berultseva has won gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, defeating Thailand's Manivan Butsuwan in the final of the over-68kg weight class, infohub.kz reports.
The medals in the division were awarded as follows. Sofya Berultseva of Kazakhstan took first place. Manivan Butsuwan of Thailand claimed silver. Bronze went to Leika Al Humaira Lubis of Indonesia and Dina Mostafa of Saudi Arabia.
Berultseva began her run to gold in the quarterfinals, where she faced Dina Mostafa of Saudi Arabia. The Kazakh won that bout 9-6 to advance to the semifinals.
Berultseva then battled Nepal's Africa Gurung for a place in the title bout, winning again, 2-1.
The gold is Kazakhstan's fourth at the 2026 Asian Games. Cyclists Rinata Sultanova and Alexey Lutsenko, along with karateka Zholaman Bigabyl, had previously won titles at the Games.
Berultseva is a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, having finished third in the Olympic kumite tournament in 2021.
The 20th Summer Asian Games in Japan officially opened 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 and 39 in mixed disciplines. Competitions will be held in 68 disciplines across 41 sports. Kazakhstan's team at the 2026 Asian Games will comprise 559 athletes.