Central Asia continues to impress the sports world with the remarkable achievements of its athletes. At the Paris 2024 Olympics and other international competitions, athletes from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have earned prestigious titles, set records, and made history in world sports.
Bahodir Jalolov
Two-time Olympic champion in heavyweight boxing, having won gold in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. After his victory in Paris, he received a luxurious BMW from the head of the International Boxing Association, and experts consider him the future king of heavyweight boxing.
Yeldos Smetov
Olympic champion of 2024 in the 60 kg weight category. He is the first Kazakh athlete to win Olympic gold in judo. He also holds silver from 2016 and bronze from 2020 Olympics, as well as the 2015 World Championship gold.
Elena Rybakina
Winner of Wimbledon 2022 and finalist of the 2023 Australian Open. She is the first Kazakhstani tennis player to enter the top-3 of the WTA world rankings. In 2023, she won WTA 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Rome.
Akzhol Mahmudov
Two-time World Champion in 2022 and 2023 and bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics in the 77 kg weight category. He is the first Kyrgyz athlete to become a World Champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Diyora Keldiyarova
The first woman from Uzbekistan to win Olympic gold in Paris 2024 in the 52 kg weight category. She is also the first Uzbek judoka to become an Olympic champion.
Abdukodir Khusanov
A 20-year-old defender who signed a contract with Manchester City in January 2025. He previously played for French club Lens and Belarusian team Energetik-BGU. Known for his speed and versatility in defense.
Temur Rahimov
Won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in judo, marking Tajikistan’s first Olympic medal in judo. In the battle for bronze, he defeated Andy Granda from Cuba.
Polina Guriyeva
Silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in weightlifting, competing in the 59 kg category. She is the first and only medalist from Turkmenistan at the Olympic Games. She is also the champion of the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Mikhail Shaydarov
Silver medalist at the 2025 World Championship and four-time continental champion. He is the first Kazakhstani man to win a medal at the World Figure Skating Championships. Known for his unique jump combinations, including the triple axel-quadruple loop.
Ulugbek Rashitov
Two-time Olympic champion in taekwondo, having won gold in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. He became the first Uzbek taekwondo athlete to win Olympic gold. Rashitov continues to inspire the younger generation of athletes.