The sports year of 2025 turned out to be quite eventful for Kyrgyzstan, marked by significant successes at world and Asian championships, as well as historic achievements and emotional comebacks. This year, Kyrgyzstanis showcased their talents in various disciplines, including wrestling, UFC, dance sport, parasports, and high-altitude mountaineering.
Kyrgyzstan confidently established itself in a multitude of sports.
Wrestling: Stability and Success
Wrestling remains a vital part of Kyrgyzstan's sports culture. In 2025, the country once again confirmed its high level on the international stage.
Aiperi Medet kyzy became the symbol of the year, winning gold at the Asian Championship and silver at the World Championship, finishing 2025 at the top of the UWW rankings. Her success became a vivid example of sports spirit.
The final match at the Asian Championship against an Indian athlete was tense: with 15 seconds left, Aiperi was losing but managed to clinch victory. Such moments shape sports history.
At the World Wrestling Championship, Bekzat Almaz uulu won a silver medal. Ernazar Akmataliev, Asan Janishov, and Nurzat Nurtayeva became bronze medalists.
At the youth level, Kyrgyzstan also demonstrated strength: Zhantoro Mirzaliev became the U-20 World Champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Adilet Akylbekov won silver at the World Championship in freestyle wrestling, and Kairkul Sharshybaeva secured a bronze medal. These achievements confirm the future of Kyrgyz wrestling.
However, 2025 also revealed some problems. The resignation of the coaching staff of the Greco-Roman wrestling team after the World Championship was a significant event, highlighting the need for changes even in the strongest sports.
Football: Emotions and Hopes
The football year was full of emotions. The Kyrgyz national team provided fans with several memorable matches.
The victory over Qatar with a score of 3:1 in the World Cup qualifying tournament was one of the brightest moments. The 1:1 draw with the UAE, the group favorite, demonstrated the character of the team and its desire for success.
However, the team was unable to reach the final stage of the World Cup, although loyal fans continue to support the team.
The team finished 2024 in 107th place in the FIFA rankings and 2025 in 104th place (as of November 19).
The success of the U-23 team, which reached the final stage of the Asian Cup for the first time, was an important step for the development of football culture in the country.
The futsal team also demonstrated excellent results, securing a direct ticket to the Asian Cup after defeating Uzbekistan.
Parasports: Inspiring Achievements
Parasports in 2025 became one of the most inspiring pages of the sports year for Kyrgyzstan.
Athletes achieved historic successes at the World Championships in para-judo, para-arm wrestling, and para-triathlon. Ferdausa Ubarikova brought the first-ever silver medal in para-judo to the country, while Aibike Ulanbek kyzy added a bronze.
Recently, Jalalidin Abduvaliev became the World Champion in para-triathlon in Spain, winning gold.
Toktosun uulu Bekboosun became the first athlete with a musculoskeletal disorder to win gold at the World Championship in para-arm wrestling in Bulgaria.
Swimming: Record Achievements
At the World Swimming Championship, Denis Petrashov finished third in the 100-meter breaststroke, achieving a time of 58.88 seconds — a new record for Kyrgyzstan. This success marked an important milestone in the history of sports in the country.
Petrashov's achievement became a symbol of a new stage in the development of Kyrgyz swimming.
UFC: Recognition on the World Stage
In 2025, Kyrgyzstan became a notable player on the global MMA scene.
Valentina Shevchenko defended her UFC title twice, solidifying her reputation as a legend. Myktybek Orolbay uulu achieved two impressive victories, while Uran Satybaldiev won his debut fight.
A sensation was the contract of Murtazali Magomedov, who knocked out his opponent in one and a half minutes and received an invitation to the UFC.
Kyrgyzstan is confidently strengthening its position in the MMA elite.
Other Martial Arts: Abundance of Awards
Kyrgyz athletes achieved significant success in sambo, kickboxing, taekwondo, grappling, and hand-to-hand combat, winning medals at world and Asian championships. These achievements testify to the broad sporting potential of the country.
At the ITF Taekwondo World Championship, Kyrgyzstan showed one of its most successful results in history, winning 38 medals.
Two athletes — Iskak Askarbekov and Radomir Mikhailov — won gold medals among adults in the sparring discipline for the first time.
Mountaineering: Peaks and Achievements
2025 was a landmark year for mountaineering in Kyrgyzstan. Eduard Kubatov successfully conquered Annapurna, Kilimanjaro, and K2, while Asel Baibagyshova and Rysgul Akimjanova raised the flag of Kyrgyzstan on Everest, inscribing their names in history.
These ascents are not only sporting achievements but also symbols of the spirit of our country.
Dance Sport: Successes and Achievements
Kyrgyz dance sport experienced a real breakthrough in 2025. Our athletes not only participated but also achieved victories.
At the Asian Championship in Malaysia, Dmitry Blinkov and Asal Mambetova became champions among athletes under 21 in the Latin program.
In the summer in Germany, Vladimir Vyrleev and Maria Proshletcova became world champions in sports ballroom dancing, winning the Latin program among 65 pairs.
Boxing: A Symbolic End to the Year
The culmination of the sports year was the performance of the Kyrgyz national team at the World Boxing Championship in Dubai, which the team almost did not attend due to visa issues.
Omar Livaza became the first boxer from Kyrgyzstan to win a silver medal at the World Championship among adults, making him a key figure in the team and setting a new benchmark for the country's boxing school.
It is also worth noting the successful performance of Ikhtiyar Nishonov, who brought home a bronze medal from the World Championship.
Two medals at one tournament is a rare achievement for Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the team.
Additionally, achievements in archery, rowing, hockey, beach volleyball, and rhythmic gymnastics emphasize that 2025 has become one of the most successful years in the sports history of the country. This year demonstrated the level of preparation of athletes and their ability to compete with the strongest opponents.
