Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Share the Spoils as Bishkek Crowns Asia’s Best Juniors
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — The next generation of Asian rhythmic gymnastics put on a show in the Kyrgyz capital, and by the end of it the apparatus titles had been split evenly between the continent’s two strongest junior programs. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan took two individual golds apiece, Kazakhstan added the junior team title, and Uzbekistan ruled the group floor — while the host nation gave the home crowd a genuine reason to celebrate.
Running alongside the senior event from 23 to 26 May 2026, the Junior Asian Championships drew 17 nations and 82 gymnasts across the individual and group programs — including Tajikistan, one of the youngest programs on the floor.
A four-way split in the apparatus finals
With the junior individual medals decided across the four apparatus finals, the titles were shared between the championships’ two leading nations, and the margins were razor-thin throughout.
Kazakhstan’s Linara Zhailauova edged China’s Chen Zhixuan by five hundredths of a point to win the Hoop final, 25.20 to 25.15, with Korea’s Jung Haeun taking bronze. Uzbekistan hit straight back in the Ball final, where Sabina Kagirova posted 25.55 to finish clear of Kazakhstan’s Aiganym Rysbek and Korea’s Lee Juah.
The Clubs final was just as close, Uzbekistan’s Anora Mamadjanova holding off Kazakhstan’s Anna Rubtsova by 0.15, with Jung Haeun again on the podium. Kazakhstan then closed the apparatus program with Ribbon gold through Anel Dinisheva, who came home narrowly ahead of Uzbekistan’s Yasmina Zufarova and home favourite Kanykei Stamalieva of Kyrgyzstan.
Two golds apiece for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with Korea’s Jung the most consistent of the chasing pack. China’s Chen Zhixuan was the standout all-rounder of the field, mixing it with the specialists on every apparatus and pushing Zhailauova to the wire for Hoop gold.
Kazakhstan top the team standings, Kyrgyzstan shine at home
Kazakhstan controlled the junior team competition with 97.80, built on a deep and even squad. But the result the home crowd came for was second place: Kyrgyzstan took team silver (95.20), edging Korea (94.10) in a tight finish and announcing real strength in their own junior pipeline. The People’s Republic of China followed, ahead of Japan, Hong Kong, India and Lebanon.
Kyrgyzstan’s Kanykei Stamalieva added to the host celebration with bronze in the Ribbon final.
Uzbekistan command the group floor — until the ribbons
In the group competition, Uzbekistan set the early pace, topping the group standings (45.35) ahead of Kazakhstan (42.70) and Japan (33.95). They carried that form into the 5 Balls final, taking gold (23.95) over Kazakhstan (21.85) and Korea (21.40).
The 5 Ribbons final then delivered the week’s twist: Japan surged to gold (19.80), holding off Kazakhstan (19.60) and Korea (18.75), while Uzbekistan slipped to fourth. It was a reminder that across a full junior group program, the depth runs wider than any single nation.
The takeaway
For Kazakhstan, the junior week was a statement — a team title and golds on two apparatus that mirror the pressure their seniors applied higher up the bill. Uzbekistan matched them across the individual and group disciplines, China unearthed a genuine talent in Chen Zhixuan, and Korea and Japan both left Bishkek with medals to build on.
Most encouraging of all for the hosts: a Kyrgyz junior team good enough to finish second in Asia, on home soil, with the next cycle already in view.
Junior medal summary
Individual Apparatus
- Hoop: 🥇 Zhailauova (KAZ) · 🥈 Chen (CHN) · 🥉 Jung (KOR)
- Ball: 🥇 Kagirova (UZB) · 🥈 Rysbek (KAZ) · 🥉 Lee (KOR)
- Clubs: 🥇 Mamadjanova (UZB) · 🥈 Rubtsova (KAZ) · 🥉 Jung (KOR)
- Ribbon: 🥇 Dinisheva (KAZ) · 🥈 Zufarova (UZB) · 🥉 Stamalieva (KGZ)
Junior Team 🥇 Kazakhstan · 🥈 Kyrgyzstan · 🥉 Korea
Group Standings 🥇 Uzbekistan · 🥈 Kazakhstan · 🥉 Japan
Group Apparatus
- 5 Balls: 🥇 Uzbekistan · 🥈 Kazakhstan · 🥉 Korea
- 5 Ribbons: 🥇 Japan · 🥈 Kazakhstan · 🥉 Korea
