1st Asia-Pacific Deaf Taekwondo WT Championships
Bishkek, 2–3 March 2023. Kozhomkul Sports Palace.
On 2 March 2023 the 1st Asia-Pacific Deaf Taekwondo WT Championships took place at the Kozhomkul Sports Palace in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Five countries took part — Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Iran and Uzbekistan — with more than 60 athletes in total. The first day featured poomsae (forms) and women’s sparring in the 46, 49, 53 and 57 kg weight categories. The Kyrgyz women’s Taekwondo WT team won four medals — 3 silver and 1 bronze.
Second place went to Asylkhan Turdukulova (46 kg), Gulzhan Zhanalieva (49 kg) and Shakhida Amirova (53 kg). In the 57 kg category Bermet Marsbekova won the bronze medal.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was attended by Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic; Kanat Shabdanbaev, Director of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Mohammad Pargar, President of the Asia-Pacific Confederation.
Kanat Shabdanbaev spoke first. He congratulated the guests of the championships and said:
The history of the deaf Olympic movement is being written right now, because the Asia-Pacific championships are being held in Asia for the first time. This event is a great achievement for everyone who loves this sport! I have no doubt that these competitions will be held at a high level, will become a real celebration for the athletes and will make a significant contribution to promoting sport and a healthy lifestyle and to strengthening the standing of deaf sport. Special thanks for this go to Mr Mohammad Pargar, President of the Asian federation.
Mohammad Pargar, in turn, thanked the people of Kyrgyzstan for the warm welcome and excellent organisation:
I thank the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for supporting deaf sport. A championship like this is being held for the first time, and the honour of hosting it has fallen to Kyrgyzstan!
“Success in sport is hard work. Your victories will light up the hearts of thousands of young people,” said Kanat Shabdanbaev.
Day two
The second day of competition took place on 3 March 2023, with men competing in the 54, 58, 63, 68, 74, 80, 87 and +87 kg weight categories. The Kyrgyz men’s team won four medals — 3 silver and 1 bronze.
Second place went to Azamat Mavlonov (74 kg), Dilfat Iminov (54 kg) and Atai Azizbek uulu (+87 kg). Arstanbek Turduaaly uulu won the bronze medal in the under-80 kg category.
At the end of the championships the Kyrgyz women’s team finished second in the overall team standings.