For the first time, students of the “AUYL SPORT” project — an initiative by the Halyk Charitable Foundation led by Timur Kulibayev — competed on the international tatami, proudly representing Kazakhstan. Their two medals became a historic moment, inspiring entire villages with hope and pride.
This year’s Kazakhstan Open 2025 international tournament, held in Astana, was marked by a remarkable event. Organized by the Kazakhstan Karate Federation, the competition brought together over 560 athletes from six countries, competing across 58 categories in kata, kumite, and team kumite disciplines. But what made it truly historic was the debut of rural Kazakh children on the international sports stage.
This milestone is the result of Timur Kulibayev’s “AUYL SPORT” project under the Halyk Foundation — a strategic initiative aimed at supporting talented youth from rural areas. Through his leadership, the foundation has consistently allocated funding to develop mass sports in Kazakhstan.
As part of the project, six selected children from rural villages represented Kazakhstan and returned home with two medals. 14-year-old Madzhan Madeniet from Kyzylsai village (Mangystau region) won a silver medal in the 52 kg category, while Anishchenko Zakhar from Baskuduk village claimed bronze in the 60 kg category. These achievements have become a source of pride not only for their families and coaches but for their entire communities. For these athletes, stepping onto the tatami wasn’t just about medals — it was about representing their villages with honor.
“This victory is not mine alone — it belongs to my coach, my supportive parents, and everyone in my village. I competed against international opponents for the first time. I was nervous, but I gave it my all to live up to my village’s hopes. Now I believe in my dream of becoming a world champion. I am endlessly grateful to the AUYL SPORT project and the Halyk Foundation,” said young athlete Madzhan Madeniet.
Following the tournament, a national youth team was formed, and athletes will now compete for a spot in the Asian Championship, set to be held in Hangzhou, China, in September 2025.
The Halyk Charitable Foundation expressed gratitude to the Kazakhstan Karate Federation for organizing the tournament at a high level and praised the professionalism and dedication that helped unlock the potential of young athletes.
“This tournament became a platform where village children could dream big. Our goal is to give every rural child a chance to showcase their talent and take a step into professional sports. Kazakhstan Open 2025 is a key milestone on that path. This opportunity is even more important than today’s medals,” said Galymbek Zhaksylykov, Executive Director of the Halyk Foundation.
AUYL SPORT is one of the major social initiatives of the Halyk Charitable Foundation, launched under the guidance of Timur Kulibayev. Since 2024, the program has focused on developing mass sports in rural areas, supporting gifted children, and guiding them toward professional sports. Today, over 10,000 children from across the country are engaged in regular sports training through the project.
Another testament to the program’s success is the performance of 12 village children at the international GYMNASIADE competition in Serbia, where they won six medals. That momentum has now continued through the Kazakhstan Open, with rural athletes confidently stepping onto the global stage.
The Halyk Charitable Foundation is one of Kazakhstan’s largest social organizations, committed to supporting vulnerable populations and promoting social responsibility. The foundation has not only allocated nearly 500 million tenge specifically to rural sports but has also implemented more than 120 social projects, with a total investment of over 85 billion tenge.
