At the prestigious California Open IKO World Championship held in San Francisco, Kyrgyz athlete Islam Narynbekov achieved victory, winning a gold medal.
Narynbekov competed in the over 95 kg category in the "combined lift" discipline, using weights of 32 kg. Despite strong competition from the world's best weightlifters, he managed to demonstrate an outstanding result and take first place on the podium. Interestingly, in addition to participating in the competition, Islam was also a member of the judging panel in the role of an international category referee.
"I compete not only for personal glory but also in the name of my country. Every title is the result of strict discipline and responsibility to those who support me," Narynbekov shared. He also expressed support for his brother Nurlan, emphasizing the importance of family unity in overcoming challenges.
Islam Narynbekov is a native of the village of At-Bashi and one of the leading weightlifters in Kyrgyzstan. His achievements include victories at the 2024 World Championship, the US Championship, and the 2025 Pan American Games, as well as medals from the Asian Championships and four-time title of Champion of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Weightlifting Federation of Kyrgyzstan noted that Narynbekov's success on the international stage confirms the high level of training of the domestic weightlifting school and strengthens Kyrgyzstan's position in the global sports community.
