The Kazakhstan team championship in target shooting has begun in Shymkent. 123 top athletes from 9 regions of Kazakhstan are participating in the national championship, which is being held from February 19 to 25.
According to the competition program, shooters will compete in 12 team events and 3 Mixed Team events for rifle, pistol and moving target. The competitions are held at the “ShGK ShVSM” shooting range and the “Shooting Plaza Shymkent” center, equipped with Swiss SIUS ASCOR electronic systems in accordance with Olympic standards.
According to the preliminary results of the tournament, the Almaty team won the men's 10-meter air rifle event. The second place was taken by athletes from Shymkent, and the third place went to the team from Pavlodar region.
The chief judge of the competition, an international expert, Varvara Yurkova, emphasized the importance of the championship. According to her, it is based on the results of this competition that athletes who will participate in the upcoming World Cups and international tournaments will be selected.
Competition among participants is high. Young shooter Asylym Zhakiya from Astana, who recently returned from the Asian Championship in India, said that he is currently competing in the 25-meter pistol event. The 18-year-old athlete has been shooting targets since the age of 13.
The main goal of this championship is to form the main squad of the national team that will participate in the XX Asian Games in Japan and the World Championship in Qatar this year.
Also, at the coaches' meeting held as part of the competition, the selection criteria and the sports calendar for 2026 were clarified. Following the championship, all participants will undergo mandatory anti-doping control.
It is worth noting that the national championship will improve the skills of domestic shooters and identify athletes who will represent the country in the international arena.