Almaty, Kazakhstan (October 1, 2023) - Kamshybek Kunkabayev, the captain of Kazakhstan's national boxing team, carries immense expectations as he aims to win his country's first-ever super heavyweight world and Olympic title. At 31 years old, Kunkabayev is not only the team's senior member but also a mentor to younger athletes. Although he won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he fell short of his goal of securing gold. Now, he is focused on achieving victory at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou to propel him toward his ultimate mission of world and Olympic gold.

Boxing is a cherished national sport in Kazakhstan, and Kunkabayev feels the weight of these expectations. He is determined to make history and become a world champion in the super heavyweight category, a title that has eluded his country in the past.

Kunkabayev's journey into boxing was influenced by his father's career in civil service and his brother's advice to pursue the sport. While he initially preferred football, Kunkabayev eventually embraced boxing and has since amassed numerous medals, including silver medals at the world championships and Asian championships.

In the super heavyweight category, Kunkabayev has come tantalizingly close to gold but has faced challenges. At Tokyo 2020, he reached the semi-finals but had to withdraw due to injury, earning a bronze medal. Despite his achievements, he and his country had set their sights on gold.

One obstacle in his path to gold is Uzbekistan's Bakhodir Jalolov, with whom Kunkabayev has a competitive history. The two heavyweights have faced each other multiple times, with Jalolov often emerging victorious. Kunkabayev and his coaches are working on new tactics to overcome Jalolov's strengths and secure victory in future meetings.

As Kunkabayev looks ahead he remains determined to achieve his ultimate goal and bring home gold and a heavyweight championship for Kazakhstan.

‍