In Kyrgyzstan, there are over 218 thousand people with disabilities, but only a few have found their calling in sports. Paralympians representing the country, from powerlifters to athletes, face difficulties and prejudice every day to prove that disability is not an obstacle to achieving victories at the world level. Their stories inspire not only the youth but the entire nation.
Toktorbek Aydyraiev, president of the "Kyrgyz National Paralympic Committee" and a master of sports in powerlifting and arm wrestling, shared with 24.kg his opinion on how young people with disabilities become successful athletes. He noted that coaches often have to literally pull them out of isolation.
The Origins of Paralympic Sports in Kyrgyzstan
“The Paralympic Committee was established in Kyrgyzstan in 1994 and was initially called the Federation of Sports for the Disabled. While our athletes began training back in the Soviet years, only one sport was developing at that time — parapowerlifting, bench press. We trained alongside able-bodied athletes,” says Toktorbek Aydyraiev.
Until 2008, only this sport was developing in the country, and our guys showed excellent results at championships, becoming pioneers in parasports. One of them is Roman Omurbekov, a participant in five Paralympic Games and one of the best athletes in Kyrgyzstan.
Since 2015, the development of cycling parasports and athletics for people with disabilities has begun, including running for the blind and visually impaired, as well as shot put, javelin, and discus throw.
“At that time, there were no coaches, and we trained athlete Arstanbek Bazar kulov using videos from YouTube. Thanks to his perseverance, he became the world champion and won the grand prix in shot put and discus. Initially, we didn’t even have a metal shot put; we trained with stones, selecting one that was suitable in weight,” recalls Toktorbek Aydyraiev.
In Bishkek, athletes face the problem of a lack of specialized facilities and are looking for venues outside the city. Currently, they train at the Kant sports school, which has a sand sector, and they travel there every other day since shot put is prohibited at the capital's stadium due to damage to the lawn.
According to Toktorbek Aydyraiev, training is effectively suspended in winter.
Obstacles on the Path to International Achievements
In 2020, judo for parasports athletes started in Kyrgyzstan, and a visually impaired athlete was sent to the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Although she lost in the first minute, this experience became a powerful motivation for her. Over the year, she trained intensively and eventually became the world champion.
“Paralympic sports are developing gradually here. Women in wrestling show good results, and among taekwondo athletes, there are also many young people with amputated limbs,” shares Toktorbek Aydyraiev.
There is a severe shortage of sports doctors in the country. Due to the lack of accurate disability classification, many athletes are not allowed to international competitions due to errors in their documents.
Toktorbek Aydyraiev noted that over the past five to six years, the government has begun to pay attention to parasports athletes, including awards, business trips, and funding for participation in competitions.
“However, there is no centralized base. There are people who really want to train but live far away. They need a dormitory and a training hall nearby,” he says.
Lack of Mentoring Opportunities
The head of the committee also touched on an important issue in parasports: many athletes who have trained for 20 years and have finished their careers cannot obtain specialized education. There are no relevant faculties in the country's universities.
“I wanted to enroll in our Institute of Physical Culture, but all exams and standards there are intended only for able-bodied people,” he adds.
Athletes with disabilities are true gems who create conditions for themselves independently. Despite all the difficulties, they strive for victories. No equipment? No problem! They find ways to craft everything they need.
Sports as a Meaning of Life
For Toktorbek, sports is his entire life. “I have been on crutches for 40 years. In childhood, I contracted polio; the vaccination was given too late. They say one in a thousand children suffers from this disease, and I happened to be that child,” he shares.
After the illness at the age of two, Toktorbek's legs failed. His parents did everything possible to help their son, and by the age of five, one leg began to move.
At six, he was sent to a boarding school, and during the holidays, he underwent preventive treatment. His parents hardly saw their son, and in the 3rd or 4th grade, he decided to return to his native village. After a year without schooling, he was sent back to a regular school, where he studied on crutches.
“After the ninth grade, I became the main helper of the family, as my father passed away. I worked wherever I could until I met some guys who led me to powerlifting. This happened during my teenage years when I wanted to socialize with girls. I wondered if I could start a family,” recalls the master of sports.
How Sports Helped Find a Family
Toktorbek was shy about meeting girls for a long time, but sports changed his life and helped him gain confidence. He became a ten-time champion of the republic, and for ten years, no one could defeat him.
His father advised him to marry a girl with a disability. However, Toktorbek dreamed of a beautiful and healthy life partner so that they could have children together.
Ultimately, at the age of 25, he married a wonderful pharmacist.
“At that time, we faced financial difficulties: my mother was diagnosed with diabetes, and we needed medication. I went to the pharmacy where my future wife worked and asked to lend me some medicine. She agreed, and every time I earned money, I paid her back. That’s how our story began; we have been together for 20 years and are raising five children. Recently, I became a grandfather,” he shares.
From Beggar to World Champion
Toktorbek also shared the story of an athlete who used to beg at the "Dordoi" market. At first, he avoided communication due to the cruelty of those around him, but after starting training, his life changed dramatically: now he is a champion, built his own house, and left his past behind.
In his free time, Toktorbek drives a taxi and, noticing young people with disabilities, tries to support them by inviting them to engage in sports and introducing them to coaches.
“Even my wife, when we are driving in the car and see a potential athlete with a disability, asks me to stop to invite them to join us,” shares Toktorbek.
Overcoming Doubts
Mirgul Bolotalieva, a participant in the Paralympics in Paris, has a II group disability — paresis of both legs due to polio contracted in childhood.
“Despite friends inviting me to try powerlifting, I thought that such a heavy sport was not suitable for women. So I refused for 10 years. However, during the pandemic, I decided that sports mean health,” she recounts.
At first, Mirgul trained cautiously, fearing that broad shoulders and powerful arms were not suitable for a woman. But after participating in international competitions, she realized that it was interesting and engaging.
“Sports have become an important part of my life; it provides motivation and discipline, strengthens character,” she notes. Mirgul added that parasports are gradually becoming as popular as Olympic sports and are developing in many countries, including Kyrgyzstan. However, many people with disabilities are unaware of parasports and spend time within four walls.
Strength of Spirit Through Sports
Esin Kaliev, a honored master of sports and coach with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, began engaging in sports at a young age and has seen the meaning of his life only in it for over 20 years.
“You shouldn’t stay at home and mourn your disability. Take steps forward; it’s your life. I don’t complain about anything; I have everything for happiness — family and children. I’m glad I’m involved in sports and engage others in it,” he added.
Sports is Life
Alexander Prokopov, an arm wrestling coach and multiple Asian championship medalist, despite his diagnosis of "cerebral palsy," teaches children and introduces them to sports. He believes that for sports to become a lifelong endeavor, a person's desire is necessary, and all it takes is to come and watch how others train.
“I came to arm wrestling and powerlifting at 25, found a children's sports school that accepted me and trained me. Sports became my life,” he concludes.
Paralympic sports in Kyrgyzstan continue to develop, but it needs specialized halls, infrastructure, and qualified specialists. Nevertheless, athletes and coaches continue to demonstrate strength, discipline, and determination — some find confidence and family, others discover a new meaning in life, and some use their experiences to inspire the younger generation.
