Karagandian Anastasia Kuturman returned with a bronze medal from the Manama 2025 World Boccia Challenger international ranking tournament, which was held in Bahrain. In total, Kazakhstanis won two medals.

170 athletes from 14 countries took part in the international tournament in Bahrain. The national team of the Republic of Kazakhstan included 10 pairs of athletes from Astana, Almaty, Karaganda and Pavlodar.

In addition to Anastasia Kuturman from Karaganda, Kuanysh Askarbekov, an athlete from the Zhetysu region, returned with an award – he won gold.

In Karaganda, the development of boccia began in 2020.

– It all started with the fact that I was looking for a sport that my daughter with cerebral palsy could practice. That's how I found Boccia. At the same time, I learned that in one of the inclusive schools in Astana, the physical education teacher, on his own initiative, conducted an optional course on boccia. So gradually, communicating, finding each other, we created the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation first, and then, two years ago, the regional one," said Gaukhar Akizhanova, Deputy President of the Boccia Federation for the Karaganda region.

Anastasia Kuturman became one of the first athletes in Karaganda who became interested in boccia. Later, Aruzhan Zhenis joined, who also defended the honor of the Karaganda region in Bahrain.

– At first, we announced fees and used the collected funds to purchase equipment for the game. In boccia, you need special balls that are expensive. Ramps are also required to bring the ball onto the playing field. For example, Aruzhan only plays with her fingertips, and she needed an expensive ramp provided by the Kazakh Federation," says Gaukhar Akizhanova.

Currently, boccia is actively developing in Kazakhstan. The Boccia Cup will be held in Karaganda in May this year. And in August, the first international challenge will be held in Astana.

Boccia is a Paralympic sport that can be practiced by people with cerebral palsy and other serious lesions of the central nervous system. This is a precision ball game similar to bowling. You can play boccia with your hands, fingers, and even with your mouth.

To do this, some athletes need a special ramp that allows them to bring the ball onto the playing field.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/karaganda/press/news/details/983330?lang=kk