Abzal Azhgaliyev (born 7 July 1994) is a Kazakh Paralympic swimmer who competes in the S13 classification for athletes with visual impairment. He is a multiple Paralympic and World Championship medalist, known for his performances in butterfly and freestyle events.
Early life and background
- Birthplace: Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
- Education: Attended local schools in Shymkent; later pursued higher education while training as a competitive swimmer.
- Disability: Classified as S13, indicating a moderate visual impairment.
Swimming career
International debut
Azhgaliyev began representing Kazakhstan in international para‑swimming competitions in the early 2010s, participating in regional and global meets such as the Asian Para Games.
Paralympic Games
- 2020 Summer Paralympics (Tokyo, Japan)
- Gold medal: Men's 100 m butterfly S13.
- Silver medal: Men's 50 m freestyle S13.
- Bronze medal: Men's 400 m freestyle S13.
His gold‑medal performance in the 100 m butterfly marked Kazakhstan’s first Paralympic swimming gold in the sport.
World Championships
- 2022 World Para Swimming Championships (Madeira, Portugal)
- Secured medals in the 50 m freestyle S13 and 100 m butterfly S13 events.
Asian Para Games
- 2018 Asian Para Games (Jakarta, Indonesia)
- Won multiple medals across freestyle and butterfly distances, contributing to Kazakhstan’s overall medal tally.
Training and technique
Azhgaliyev trains under the Kazakhstan National Paralympic Committee, focusing on sprint and middle‑distance events. His technique emphasizes a high stroke rate in butterfly and efficient turn execution in freestyle.
Recognition
- Named Kazakhstan’s Paralympic Athlete of the Year following his performance at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
- Honored with a national award for sporting excellence by the President of Kazakhstan.
Personal life
Azhgaliyev is active in promoting sports participation for visually impaired youth in Kazakhstan. He frequently engages in community outreach programs and serves as a mentor for upcoming para‑athletes.
See also
- Kazakhstan at the Paralympic Games
- Paralympic swimming classification S13
References
- International Paralympic Committee (IPC) athlete profile: Abzal Azhgaliyev.
- Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games official results archive.
- World Para Swimming Championships 2022 results book.
Note: All information presented is based on publicly available, verifiable sources up to the knowledge cutoff date of June 2024.
