Drawing participation from 36 countries, over 1,000 athletes have converged to vie for 34 sets of medals across 6 sporting disciplines over the span of 10 days. Among them, Kazakhstan has sent a contingent of 26 athletes competing in chess, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing.
“Kazakhstan’s presence at the Winter Games marks its third consecutive appearance. Our athletes have diligently prepared for this momentous event, undergoing rigorous training in Shchuchinsk and the Almaty region. Tomorrow marks the commencement of the first competitions for our team, encompassing blitz chess and cross-country skiing. I am confident that our athletes will spare no effort in their quest to bring home Deaflympic medals for our nation,” expressed Adilkhan Bolatkhanovich, Deputy Director of the Sports Training Center for Persons with Disabilities.
The honor of bearing the national flag during the opening ceremony was bestowed upon Sultan Kozhakhmetov, the bronze medalist at the World Chess Championship.
“As a first-time participant in the Winter Deaflympics, it is an immense privilege for me to represent my country in this capacity. I extend heartfelt gratitude to the Sports Committee, the Sports Training Center for Persons with Disabilities, the National Deaflympic Committee, and the entire populace of Kazakhstan for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” remarked Sultan Kozhakhmetov.
Notably, the Deaflympics provide a platform for athletes with hearing impairments to showcase their prowess. Prior to competing, athletes undergo audiograms to ensure fair play. The games are scheduled to culminate on March 12th, promising an exhilarating display of athleticism and sportsmanship.
