KZ 
RU 
QZ 
The 2024 World Sambo Championship, held in Astana from November 8-10, became a significant event in global sambo history, with more than 80 countries participating. For the first time, the tournament's official program included sambo competitions for blind athletes, who competed in the 64 kg, 79 kg, and 98 kg weight categories. This inclusion highlights efforts towards creating equal opportunities and promoting inclusivity for athletes with visual impairments.
The classification of athletes in the SVI-1 category (totally blind athletes) was conducted by an international team of experts. Among them was Dr. Roza Kurmangaziyevna Adyrakova, an ophthalmologist and assistant at the Department of Ophthalmology, who is the only internationally certified classifier in Kazakhstan. Having completed a special internship in Moscow in 2023, she now applies her knowledge to fairly assess athletes and facilitate their participation in international competitions.
A key contribution to the health and safety of the athletes came from Latif Asad (Pakistan), a student from the General Medicine faculty, Group 494, who volunteered as a medic. His duties included providing first aid to the athletes, ensuring their safety throughout the tournament.
In addition, the tournament hosted an exhibition dedicated to the development of sambo for the blind and visually impaired. The event was attended by residents of the Department of Ophthalmology, who explored the living conditions and training routines of blind athletes. This interaction with adaptive sports for the blind is essential for better understanding their needs, which will help improve medical support and care for this group of patients in the future.
This tournament emphasizes the importance of adaptive sports in contemporary society, promoting inclusivity and ensuring equal opportunities for all participants.
List of sources:
2. Sambo Federation of Kazakhstan
3. Sputnik Kazakhstan
