Gold for Yerekesheva in Astana

Akmaral Yerekesheva © Pinterest

The capital of Kazakhstan recently became the epicenter of grace and precision as the Alem Cup international rhythmic gymnastics tournament drew to a spectacular close. The home crowd had plenty to celebrate as local favorites dominated the podium, showcasing the growing strength of the Kazakh national rhythmic gymnastics program. At the heart of this success was Akmaral Yerekesheva, a gymnast whose blend of traditional Kazakh expressive style and high-level technical difficulty has quickly made her a rising star to watch.

Local Heroes Sweep the Podium

The highlight of the event was the Senior All-Around competition, where Yerekesheva delivered a series of mesmerizing routines to claim the gold medal. Finishing with a total score of 112.350, she displayed exceptional control and artistry across all four apparatus. Known for her flexibility and “long lines,” Yerekesheva’s performance in Astana was particularly praised for her mastery of the clubs, where her rhythmic timing remained flawless under pressure.

The podium reflected a strong showing for the host nation, with teammate Aiym Meirzhanova securing the silver medal with a score of 110.300. Italy’s Viola Sella prevented a total sweep by clinching the bronze with 106.650 points. The victory follows a wave of success for Kazakh gymnastics, coming shortly after Olympic medalist Nariman Kurbanov secured bronze at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup.

Rising Stars in the Junior Ranks

The future of the sport looks equally bright for Kazakhstan, as the Junior All-Around competition saw another gold-silver finish for the home team. Anna Rubtsova took the top spot with a score of 100.750, followed closely by her teammate Linara Jailauova with 98.900. Italy again showed its depth in the sport, with Veronica Zappaterreni taking home the bronze medal.

Ultimately, the triumph of Akmaral Yerekesheva in Astana serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication and home-court passion, the path to international gold is paved with grace and unwavering focus.

Source: article on qazinform.com, published March 13, 2026.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer