IJF releases latest rankings for Kazakh judokas

Kazakhstan’s Abiba Abuzhakynova, a three-time World Championships medalist in the women’s -48 kg division, has retained her fifth place in the May rankings.

In the men’s -60 kg division, Yeldos Smetov is Kazakhstan’s highest-ranked judoka at No. 23. He has not competed since claiming Olympic gold in the summer of 2024, yet none of his teammates have moved ahead of him in the rankings.

Olympic medalist Gusman Kyrgyzbayev is the top-ranked Kazakh in the -66 kg category, sitting in 15th place.

In other weight categories, the highest-ranked Kazakhstani judokas are as follows:

Men

• -73 kg: 44th – Yesset Kuanov
• -81 kg: 12th – Abylaikhan Zhubanazar
• -90 kg: 65th – Meiirlan Maxim
• -100 kg: 28th – Nurlykhan Sharkhan
• +100 kg: 30th – Yerassyl Kazhybayev

Women

• -52 kg: 90th – Tolganay Abeuova
• -57 kg: 49th – Dana Abdirova
• -63 kg: 36th – Esmigul Kuyulova
• -70 kg: 98th – Ekaterina Tokareva
• -78 kg: 64th – Aruna Jangeldina
• +78 kg: 49th – Nazgul Maratova

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the Judo Grand Slam tournament is set to take place in Astana from May 8 till 10, bringing together leading Kazakh and international athletes. Ranking points earned at the event will count toward the world standings.