Huseboe

Kevin Huseboe, Marshall County Veterans Affairs Director

One of the big things was we had the dedication for the incredible Veterans memorial in March. That was a great feat to get over with and have done in a short amount of time that we approached it and got it designed and built and got it dedicated.

Our Coffee and Camaraderie has been incredible that we do the first Tuesday of every month. It’s been awesome. We’ve seen a lot of vets and a lot of young vets. We’re starting to see a lot of Desert Storm, Desert Shield, a lot of Gulf War vets starting to come to us. We still see a few Vietnam and Vietnam era vets coming through, but we’re starting to see a lot of young vets coming through the door now, which is great. They’re starting to hear about it and starting to come in and see it. We’re starting to see a lot of Guard and Reserve people coming through the door. It’s been really incredible.

I want to throw a great thank you out to our three commissioners, Bob Grimes, Dave Streets and Herschel Edwards, who just came on this year. Herschel’s still in the Guard, and he’s a great asset to the office and to the commission. A big thank you to the Board of Supervisors — Jarret Heil, Carol Hibbs and Kevin Goodman — thank you to them for allowing us to run the office and do what we do every day and assist and help all the veterans that we do.

Another great thing, too, is the economic development that we’re doing with helping all the veterans in Marshall County. What is going in now is $1.6 million coming into Marshall County veterans for service-connected disability. That’s a monthly amount coming to the veterans. That’s up a lot from what it was six years ago when it was $780,000. That’s a big increase of what Shari and myself have been doing, and another big thank you to Shari Coughenour, a great add-on to the office. She’s been there almost three years, and it’s been great.

It’s just like our van. When I started here a little over four years ago, we had 14 Marshall County veterans using that service. Presently now, and Shari oversees the van, we have 89 veterans in Marshall County using that service, so a lot of great things are going on there.

The big challenge for next year is that I’m going to retire at the end of 2026, December of 2026, but we have a young man that’s looking at the job and dealing with Shari, working with her and working with myself, so he’s gonna be our number one pick. His dad lives around here. He lives out in Vegas presently, and he’s in the Reserve right now. And he’s wanting to relocate so he can be next to his dad and family here, and he’s been working with Shari a lot so he’s gonna be our number one pick that I’m gonna recommend to the county. He’ll be a great one to hit the ground running, so I think he’ll be a great asset to the office.

It’s gonna be bittersweet. I’m gonna miss what we’ve been able to do. When I stepped in there a little over four years ago, I had no clue that I was gonna be able to turn it around from what it was and what it had been. Nothing against our predecessors, but it needed to be woken up. And I had no clue that I was gonna be able to do what’s been able to happen.

It’s been incredible. Thank you to all the veterans in Marshall County — coming through, getting them taken care of, putting the trust back in that office that it needed — and for us to be able to move forward and bring a lot of great things to those veterans. The VA health care is a big thing, and having a new CBOC (clinic) that was dedicated this year also, that’s been a great asset to the town.

The year just went by so quickly, and so many wonderful things happened in 2025. The downside to 2025 was what happened in December, the loss of the Marshall County soldier (William “Nate” Howard) and the Grimes soldier (Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar). That was sad, but life goes on. The families, they’ll grieve and everything, and we’re here to help in whatever way we can with those families. And we’re here for them. We always support all of our brothers and sisters in the loss of those soldiers and to help them in any way we can. Our hearts go out to them every day.

So any new challenges for 2026 is just having more and more veterans come through the door. It’s a process to deal with the VA and always remember, because they use AI a lot, don’t give up the fight. We keep the fight going. The VA healthcare is a great thing to get available and get in the door and utilize it, and then just never give up is the big thing.

Jacobus

Todd Jacobus, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs/Iowa Veterans Home Commandant

The Iowa Veterans Home has maintained continuous operations here on the Northwest corner of Marshalltown since December 1, 1887. During this Home’s 138 years of service we have served 19,620 Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses – the most recent veteran was admitted on December 30.

Over the last year, the census of the Iowa Veterans Home has fluctuated between 371 and 410. Our veteran population includes 141 Army, 97 Navy, 72 Air Force, 35 Marines, and 2 Women’s Army Corps; 22 of our residents are women Veterans. Two IVH residents served in World War II, 22 in Korea, 196 in Vietnam, 17 in the Middle East, and 84 are peacetime Veterans. We have 41 residents over the age of 90. We have space on campus for 447 residents, but as we close out 2025 our census is 374, as we have households that will open once we hire additional nursing staff.

All of us who have the privilege of serving those who served are grateful for the incredible support that we receive from the City of Marshalltown, Marshall County, and beyond. A total of 681 volunteers from across the State – most of whom are from this community – volunteered 9,634 hours in 2025. Examples of volunteering range from Doris Lemker, who was inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2025, working on a daily basis in the Gift Shop, to Marshalltown Councilman Mike Ladehoff serving hot dogs during ballgames at Valor Field. The gifts and monetary donations to IVH resulted in many performances and presentations throughout the year, each resident receiving two gifts at Christmas, and many other opportunities. These volunteer hours translate directly to the enhancement of the quality of life of our residents. Thank you.

We are grateful to scores of visitors to the Iowa Veterans Home who took the time to visit, speak, and present in 2025. Those visitors included Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-4), Governor and Ambassador Terry Branstad, many state legislators and staff, including Senator Kara Warme and Representative David Blom, former Ambassador to Vietnam and President Emeritus of World Food Prize Kenneth Quinn, Maj.Gen. Steve Osborn, Kosovo Chief of Consular Mission Drilon Zogaj, and Kosovo Security Forces Maj.Gen. Irfeti Spahiu. Command Sgt.Maj. Matt Strasser and other senior Iowa National Guard leaders visited the Iowa Veterans Home six times during the year.

I am grateful to the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs – Darlene McMartin, Joella Perry, George Mosby, Dave Grimm, Becky DirksHaugsted, Dennis Jones, Elizabeth Ledvina, Scott Miller, Greg Paulline, Reginald Richardson, Linda Jones and Robert Suesakul, who volunteer their time to serve as vibrant, enthusiastic voices of veteran service organizations to the department. They also serve as a conduit of information from the department to their service organizations, meet quarterly with the veteran community and stakeholders, meet monthly to review trust fund applications, and serve as the voice to the department for the organizations they represent. Many thanks to all of these commissioners, who are also veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, and thanks for your outstanding work to support Iowa veterans. In 2025, the department received 268 trust fund applications, approved 233 applications, and disbursed $905,974 to veterans in need of assistance and to veteran service organizations providing military funeral honors.

Our nation will celebrate 250 years of independence in 2026. Many of us remember the “bicentennial” year of 1976; 2026 will be the “semiquincentennial” year and we are looking forward to the celebrations that commemorate Iowa’s role in our nation’s past, present, and future. Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces have had had a central role in shaping the history, values, and freedoms of our nation. From our nation’s founding to the present day, men and women who served have influenced major events, defended democratic principles at home and abroad, and contributed to American society long after their service ended. We are looking forward to this celebration of America.

As always – it’s an honor to serve. And the best is yet to come.

Jass-Ramirez

Kim Jass-Ramirez, Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA CEO

In 2025, the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA continued to be a welcoming place where people of all ages could build confidence, connections, and healthy habits. I will share some highlights below which tell the story of how the Y strengthened our community in ways that go beyond programs; because there’s no place like the Y to belong, grow, and thrive together.

More than 500 youth participated in Y sports, learning teamwork and resilience in an environment grounded in encouragement and belonging. Youth programs extended beyond sports, with 270 children engaged in summer camp, preschool, after-school programs, and school’s out fun days–creating safe, enriching spaces where young people could learn, play, and grow while families felt supported.

Healthy living was a powerful thread throughout the year. Members logged more than 30,000 check-ins to group exercise classes in the pool and on land, reflecting a strong commitment to physical and mental well-being. Aquatics programs alone served 3,259 people, including swim lessons, water safety education, adaptive swim lessons, and lifeguard certifications, helping participants build life-saving skills and confidence in the water.

The addition of EGYM made an immediate impact, with more than 850 members enrolling in its first year. By offering personalized, accessible strength training, EGYM supported members at every stage of their wellness journey. Perhaps most powerfully, 2025 showcased the Y’s impact through personal transformation and shared responsibility. One member’s experience of losing nearly 200 pounds through consistency, support, and access to Y resources illustrated how the Y helps individuals reach their full potential with dignity.

The Y also demonstrated its role as a community connector through inclusive events and innovative programming. Pickleball beginner classes introduced more than 100 people to a sport that fosters fun and social connection. Community events such as the Halloween Carnival welcomed more than 300 attendees, reinforcing the Y as a place where neighbors come together to celebrate and belong. Hosting the Special Olympics Iowa state swim meet further highlighted the Y’s commitment to creating spaces where athletes of all abilities are celebrated and supported.

In 2026, we will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the YMCA in Marshalltown. This anniversary is a milestone that honors a legacy of service, connection, and community impact that spans generations. None of this impact would be possible without the generous support of donors who help ensure programs remain affordable and inclusive, the dedication of volunteers who bring energy and heart to every space, and community partners who amplify the Y’s reach and impact. Together, this collective support strengthens the Y’s ability to serve and reminds us that when a community comes together, there truly is no place like the Y.

Ladehoff

Mike Ladehoff, Marshalltown Mayor

2025 was a year of action on so many items that came off the drawing board and into actual construction. Center Street, Main Street, the Apgar Family Water Plaza, the Iowa Rivers Edge Trail, the Shops in Marshalltown Mall, The Marshalltown Company, Franklin Field, TIG Manufacturing, Lillie Mae Chocolates and the announcement of a billion dollar addition to our present Alliant Bobcat Energy Center, just to name a few.

New staff at City Hall and employees gelled quickly with a solid “can do” attitude with City Administrator Carol Webb at the helm. The professionalism and talents of our staff and employees continue to impress me.

The Arts and Culture Alliance continued to wow residents and visitors alike with continual projects, music and events, teasing out the very best of Marshalltown for the world to see, hear, taste and touch. In 2026, I expect more of the same. Progress is hard at first, messy in the middle and glorious at the end.

Finishing up the East of Center Street portion of Main Street, finishing the Apgar Family Water Plaza and other projects will be a priority in the new Council’s “to do” list. Jumping right into the budget in the first part of 2026. I have confidence that the new Council will learn to work together quickly and once again, produce a balanced budget. As always, we will face hurdles to clear, tough decisions to make steering our community into the future.

As far as myself, I am looking forward to 2026, moving over and into the Mayor’s chair. Let’s get after it.

Phillips

Joel Phillips, Marshall County Sheriff

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the challenges, successes, and shared responsibilities over the last twelve months. Serving as your Sheriff is both an honor and profound responsibility that is never done alone.

This year we were challenged in many ways. We faced old challenges that no community is immune to domestic abuse, addiction, theft, and violence. Increasingly this year challenges came in new forms. Longer incarceration periods for inmates with mental health issues, medical emergencies in rural areas, online threats and scams that were “AI” generated, and as many businesses are experiencing increasing operating costs.

As budgets are being refined, operating costs, revenues, resources and training programs are evaluated, annual activity reports are analyzed; it is evident deputies responded to emergencies at all hours, weekends, holidays, and often under difficult circumstances, while continuing to balance compassion, professionalism and accountability. Behind every call for service was a person in need, behind every 911 call for help someone answered, and behind every badge was a dedicated professional committed to protecting life and upholding the law.

I’m especially proud of the men and women of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Their dedication, resilience, and integrity are evident every day. Whether in the Patrol Division, Jail Division, Civil Division, Courthouse Security, Investigations, or Communications Center they serve the community even when their assignment demanded personal sacrifice.

As the host agency for the Mid Iowa Drug Task Force (MIDTF) our investigators continue to identify, disrupt or dismantle drug trafficking organizations in Marshall, Tama, Hardin and Grundy Counties. It is important we continue partnering with State and Federal agencies to have resources available for successful drug investigations including long-term high impact multiagency investigations.

Alternative to Incarceration Program (AIP) — This program is designed to allow people sentenced to jail for non-violent crimes to participate in work programs. This reduces labor and housing costs. Partnerships with Prairie Ridge, Iowa Primary Health Organizations with the Jail Diversion Program to reduce incarceration and recidivism by providing support services with substance abuse treatment, mental and behavioral health, to help establish employment, housing, and education. Our jail staff and partnering agencies are dedicated to provided services to our incarcerated population to help them be successful and productive citizens.

We also continue to strengthen our partnerships with local agencies, first responders, community organizations and citizens through community engagement. Public safety is successful with trust and cooperation from our communities. I am grateful for the support and engagement we received throughout the year at fundraising events, community celebrations, and educational programs.

To our communities and citizens, we serve, thank you for your trust, feedback, and willingness to partner with us. Your support reminds us why this work matters and who we serve.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we remain committed to transparency, professionalism, and service. There will be new challenges, but also new opportunities to improve, listen and to lead with integrity.

On behalf of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, I wish you and your families a safe, healthy, and peaceful New Year. We are honored to serve you.

Rosenblum

Sarah Rosenblum, Marshalltown Public Library Director

2025 was a busy year at the Marshalltown Public Library. The community rooms were upgraded with new technology, allowing for presentation and videoconferencing in both spaces. This project was made entirely possible with funds from the Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library. In addition, dramatic changes occurred on the library grounds when the two houses on the northwest corner of the property, both owned by the Friends of MPL, were sold and moved to the 400 block of West Linn Street. Library staff were busy checking out nearly 232,000 items and presenting 1048 programs over the course of the year. The adult services department hosted best-selling romance author Denise Williams and rolled out a new seed library, distributing over 900 seed packets to local residents. The youth services department provided a summer reading program for nearly 900 area youth. In addition, they hosted over 300 programs for youth of all ages, a couple highlights being a full day visit by author Kelly Crull in partnership with the Marshalltown Community School District and the annual Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) featuring a showcase performance by the Miller Mariachi Band on the West Lawn. Finally, the library was pleased to bring back the popular Iowa Adventure Pass in 2025, and has added the new Blue Zoo, an interactive aquarium in West Des Moines, to its list of local cultural and educational venues.

Big changes are coming to the library in 2026. An interior renovation project, funded entirely by the Friends of MPL, will begin in January. The southwest corner of the building, which currently houses the local history collection, will be reconfigured to create new study rooms, a gathering space and a podcasting room. In addition, there will be significant changes coming to the library staff in the new year. Monica Rhodes-Fulton, a familiar face in Information Services since 1995, will be retiring at Valentine’s Day, and library director Sarah Rosenblum will be retiring in early November after 15 years of service.

The library staff are looking forward to offering premier service to the local community in the new year!

MANHATTAN, Kansas — After Kansas State had cut No. 10 BYU’s lead to six points early in the second half Saturday afternoon, Cougars coach Kevin Young inserted 6-foot-10 newcomer Abdullah Ahmed into the game and pulled out rim protector supreme Keba Keita.

The timing seemed ripe for the Wildcats to continue their comeback, but Ahmed was able to hold his own inside, and even contributed a couple of buckets to push BYU’s lead out to nine points on two different occasions.

Kansas State got no closer than seven points the rest of the way and BYU rolled to an 83-73 victory in the Big 12 opener in front of 11,010 at Bramlage Coliseum. Ahmed, whose nickname is “Biddo,” finished with four points, two assists and three blocks in only his second game in a BYU uniform.

“Biddo helped us get that win,” said senior forward Richie Saunders. “It’s good to have him here.”

Of course, not everybody is happy to see Ahmed playing in the college ranks, after the native of Cairo, Egypt, spent the last two seasons playing for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA’s G League. Ahmed, who is classified as a sophomore in eligibility, joined the Cougars a few months ago, gained his eligibility just before the holiday break, and scored one point in his debut, BYU’s 109-81 win over Eastern Washington on Dec. 22.

Ahmed went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, while a player that Baylor recently signed to the chagrin of many and added to its roster — 21-year-old James Nnaji, certainly was. The 7-footer was booed every time he touched the ball in Baylor’s 69-63 loss at TCU on Saturday, while finishing with five points and four rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench.

Prominent college basketball coaches such as UConn’s Dan Hurley, John Calipari of Arkansas and Tom Izzo of Michigan State have publicly complained recently about NCAA rules that allow the G League players and NBA-drafted players to join college programs — Baylor’s addition of Nnaji has drawn far more criticism than BYU’s addition of Ahmed — as midseason roster acquisitions.

Neither Nnaji nor Ahmed have appeared in NBA games.

For his part, Young defended the practice at Big 12 basketball media days in Kansas City in October when rumors surfaced that BYU was recruiting Ahmed, and he doubled down on that belief last Thursday when previewing the BYU-Kansas State game.

“I’ve seen a lot of the discussion points there. The first thing I would say is just the amount of respect I have for all the legends of the game as it relates to college coaching,” Young said. “A lot of guys I grew up watching and being fans of (have criticized the rules) and their broad experience and the longevity that they’ve had (is impressive). I don’t blame them for raising an eyebrow to the way things are going, because it’s so different.”

But “different” doesn’t necessarily mean it is a bad thing, Young said, while expressing “respect” for coaches who have been able to coach at the collegiate level for as long as Calipari and Izzo have.

“In terms of how I see what is happening, I think the big thing is understanding what the rules are, and understanding that you have to play within those rules, and being able to put together a team that you think is going to help you win,” Young said. “The opinion I have and the thing that I’ve heard a lot is this idea of what it (negatively) does to the kids and what it does to the high school players.”

The veteran coaches are saying that allowing pros — from the G League or overseas — to play college basketball is lessening opportunities for high school players. Young coached in the NBA’s developmental leagues (D League and G League) from 2007-16 and then was an NBA assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2016-20 and Phoenix Suns from 2020-24 before landing the BYU job in 2024.

Young said making younger players have to “pay their dues” is not always a bad thing.

“I do understand it impacts some high school players and young guys. But at the same time, I think it could really help if we reimagine what it looks like for a young player,” he said. “I was in the G League for nine years and sometimes you get a kid from a power conference team and they aren’t ready to help us win and they have a long road ahead of them. … Some of those guys flamed out and their lives look a lot different than if they had stayed in school and gotten more ready to play in the NBA.”

Young acknowledged that it is “never ideal” to bring in a player in the middle of the college season, as Baylor and BYU have done. He said it is “no different” than bringing in a guy before the NBA trade deadline when teams are preparing to make a playoff run, “which is essentially how I viewed us bringing in Biddo.”

Young said the BYU coaching staff did its due diligence and properly vetted Ahmed to ensure he would be the right fit and not disrupt a team that has lost just once, by two points to No. 3 UConn in Boston.

“We felt in our particular case that it was a calculated risk that we were willing to take. He’s a great young man. He understands how to play and he’s unselfish, and he fits with what we’re doing,” Young said. “So I think it’s situational. You throw the wrong guy (on the team) and the whole thing is going to blow up. So you got to be super careful. In our own case, so far, it’s gone good.”

BYU returns to the Marriott Center on Wednesday to host Arizona State (0-1, 9-5) at 7 p.m. The Sun Devils fell 95-89 to Colorado on Saturday in Tempe.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – Standing Rocks County Park provides winter sports opportunities for families and outdoor enthusiasts in central Wisconsin, featuring three ski hills designed for beginners and learners.

The park offers daily ski passes at $18 for adults, $15 for youth skiers, and free admission for children eight years and under. The slopes remain open as long as snow conditions allow or until March 15, whichever comes first.

“As a kid, this is where I learned how to ski back. I’m in my mid-30s now, so just kind of keeping on the tradition with the family,” said Bryan Konkol. “It’s a perfect hill for little kids to learn, and the price is reasonable.”

The park features more than eight miles of trails and paths for cross-country skiing, fat-tire biking and snowshoeing. A second lodge serves cross-country skiers, while a sledding hill operates near the main lodge.

Park workers brought rehabilitating birds of prey to teach young skiers about local wildlife during recent visits.

“I just see how much joy it gives them. And yeah, I mean, it’s just the weather’s perfect, and it’s just something they love to do,” Konkol said.

Young visitors Parker and Madison expressed enthusiasm for the slopes. “I like going fast down all the hills, and it’s super fun,” Parker said. Madison added, “I just like going down there because we get to go down the hills fast.”

The ski slopes operate weekends from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Cross-country trails remain open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., with some trails illuminated after dark. Ski rentals are available in the main lodge for $15 to $20.

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Nevada may rank last nationwide for youth participation in sports, but when it comes to flag football, it’s a leader. 

The Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body for the state’s high school sports, in 2012 launched a flag football pilot program in Clark County. It was approved as a varsity sport in 2016, making Nevada just the second state after Florida to authorize flag football. 

Nationwide and in Nevada, flag football is especially popular among female athletes.

“There’s a lot of trailblazers out there in Nevada who have been championing it for girls,” said Charles Torwudzo, the manager of the U.S. national teams and of player personnel at USA Football, the governing body for flag and touch football.

Nevada’s program is one of the nation’s strongest, boasting multiple athletes on the U.S. flag football teams for both teenage girls and adult women. Last year, more than 1,800 girls played high school flag football in Nevada. 

That’s triple the number playing in the 2013-14 school year, the earliest year data is available from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

“Nevada specifically has a great grassroots baseline out there, as one of the early adopters,” Torwudzo said.

Sixteen states now authorize girls’ high school flag football, with 12 of these states doing so in the last three years alone. The sport’s growth has been helped by millions of dollars from benefactors such as Nike and the NFL and has unfolded as interest in women’s sports explodes.

Collegiate opportunities are also increasing. At least 65 NCAA schools sponsor girls flag football at the club or varsity level, including UNLV and UNR. Nevada State University launched its first team this fall.

The sport was also recently approved to join the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, the first step to possibly becoming an official sport for the top three divisions.

Scott Blackford is the director of programs at Nevada Youth Sports, an organization that runs recreational and club sports in Southern Nevada and manages charter schools’ sports leagues.

Blackford said his Las Vegas-based sports organization has seen girls’ participation in their flag football teams increase by 250 percent since 2021. Four years ago, one in every 10 of their flag football players was female. Now that number is one in every four, he said.

He attributed the sport’s popularity to its inclusivity. 

“It’s a sport almost anybody can play. Tackle football is for a certain type of person,” Blackford said. “Flag football is also football, but allows kids to to enjoy the game without the other stuff that tackle brings.”

Torwudzo theorized that the sport has found success because of its limited barriers to entry, with minimal equipment and easy-to-learn rules.

Girls who play flag football said the activity has given them a chance to make the sport their own.

Maci Joncich, a Henderson native who in 2024 became the youngest member of the U.S. women’s national flag football team, told The Nevada Independent she grew up playing the sport with her older brothers. 

She said she thinks the sport is so popular because it “gives girls the opportunity to really work for something” by joining competitive varsity teams.

Flag football has changed gender patterns in sports nationwide, according to Project Play, a branch of the Aspen Institute think tank. Although boys still generally participate in sports at higher rates than girls, that gap has grown significantly smaller since the pandemic. 

That trend has not materialized in Nevada, where U.S. Census Bureau data shows girls’ sports participation was higher than boys’ prior to the pandemic but has since dropped dramatically. 

But when it comes to football, girls in Nevada are far outpacing boys, whose participation in high school tackle football has dipped slightly in the last decade. Girls’ participation in flag football has tripled. 

Joncich said she never expected this level of participation among girls.

“Younger girls will come up to me at events and say, ‘I want to play,’” Joncich said. “It warms my heart, because I never used to see that growing up.”

Alyce Brown of The Associated Press contributed to this article.

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s athletes delivered another successful year in the country’s sporting history in 2025, achieving breakthroughs across football, boxing, tennis and winter sports.

Kairat FC team. Photo credit: Kairat FC

From historic firsts to record medal hauls, Kazakhstan’s presence on the world sports map grew stronger than ever.

Football: A breakthrough year and growing international recognition

The defining moment of the year came when FC Kairat qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in its history, defeating Scotland’s Celtic FC in a dramatic penalty shootout in Almaty. The club’s international rise was further reinforced, when FC Kairat was ranked among the 500 best football clubs in the world by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). Kairat became the only Kazakh club on the list, placing 240th overall with 90.75 points.

FC Kairat’s momentum culminated on Dec. 9 when Anarbekov became the first Kazakh footballer ever to be named UEFA Champions League Player of the Match. His exceptional performance against Olympiacos earned him a 9.2 rating from UEFA, which also included two of his saves among the best of the matchday. 

Kazakhstan’s young football talent also gained international visibility, with 17-year-old forward Dastan Satpayev being recognized among the world’s top five young players by Score 90. Meanwhile, Italian giant Inter Milan highlighted Anarbekov’s skills in a dedicated feature. Institutional progress followed as well as the Kazakhstan Football Federation’s national academy received official FIFA Talent Academy status, making Kazakhstan only the ninth country in the world to achieve it.

Boxing: Dominance continues and a new Hall of Fame legend

At the IBA World Championships in Dubai, the Kazakh team finished second overall, collecting six medals – three gold, one silver, and two bronze. Saken Bibossinov (54 kg), Orazbek Asylkulov (57 kg), and Abylaikhan Zhussupov (71 kg) captured world titles.

Gennady Golovkin. Photo credit: olympic.kz

The year also brought historic recognition for Kazakhstan with Gennady Golovkin becoming the president of World Boxing Federation and his election to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Golovkin, selected in the 2025 ballot, became the first Kazakh boxer inducted into the Hall and joined global legends such as Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, and Mike Tyson. 

Kazakhstan further cemented its dominance by topping the medal standings at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where the national team earned seven gold medals.

Tennis: International titles and historic rankings

Kazakhstan strengthened its global presence in tennis with some of the most significant victories to date. Elena Rybakina made history when she became the first Kazakh player to win the WTA Finals, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in Riyadh. She finished the year ranked fifth in the WTA standings, while Yulia Putintseva entered the top 20 for the first time in her career.

Elena Rybakina (L) and Yulia Putintseva (R). Photo credit: Kazakhstan Tennis Federation

On the men’s side, Alexander Bublik captured the ATP 500 Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany, securing his fifth career ATP title after defeating a series of top-ranked players, including Daniil Medvedev. 

The next generation also delivered promising results as 17-year-old Amir Omarkhanov climbed to No. 4 in the global junior rankings, bolstered by a breakthrough season. Kazakhstan also continued expanding its tennis ecosystem, hosting the ATP 250 Almaty Open.

Chess

Kazakhstan continued its rapid rise in global chess, achieving historic results across elite, youth, and team competitions. A historic moment took place inside the British Parliament when top Kazakh grandmasters played an exhibition match against members of the UK Parliament.

Bibisara Assaubayeva. Photo credit: Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan

A major milestone came when FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich announced that Kazakhstan won the most medals worldwide in all FIDE competitions in 2024. The momentum continued into 2025 with the national women’s team placing fourth at the FIDE World Women’s Team Championship in Linares and earning three individual medals.

Kazakhstan’s rising star Meruert Kamalidenova delivered another impressive result by finishing as women’s vice-champion at the sixth El Llobregat Open in Spain, a major international event featuring participants from 33 countries.

Youth achievements further underscored Kazakhstan’s depth of talent. At the 27th Asian Youth Chess Championship in Bangkok, Kazakh players captured 11 medals, including five gold across classical, rapid, and blitz events.

Bibisara Assaubayeva also achieved the norms required to become Kazakhstan’s second female grandmaster, following Zhansaya Abdumalik, reinforcing the nation’s expanding influence in the chess world.

Winter sports

Kazakhstan’s athletes delivered a series of outstanding results in winter sports, particularly at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, where the national team earned 20 medals – four gold, nine silver, and seven bronze. Among the most significant accomplishments were the country’s first-ever victories in short track and freestyle acrobatics. 

Mikhail Shaidorov. Photo credit: olympic.kz

The men’s 5,000-meter relay team secured Kazakhstan’s inaugural gold in short track, while the freestyle acrobatics duo defeated two leading Chinese teams to win the nation’s first gold in that discipline. Kazakhstan’s men’s hockey team also continued its tradition of excellence by winning the Asian Winter Games title for the fifth time.

Figure skating brought additional triumphs when Mikhail Shaidorov secured silver at the 2025 ISU World Championships in Boston, marking Kazakhstan’s third-ever medal at the event and earning him a place at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Expanding success beyond traditional arenas

Kazakhstan also reached new heights in sports outside its long-established strengths. In motorsports, Artline Kazakhstan became the world champion in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, marking the country’s first world title in the sport.

Kazakh player Daniil Golubenko, representing the Brazilian organization FURIA. Photo credit: digitalbusiness.kz

Kazakhstan also saw a breakthrough in eSports when Kazakh Counter-Strike player Daniil Golubenko, representing FURIA, won the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Chengdu 2025 tournament with a dominant 3:0 performance and was named MVP. 

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan launched its first professional women’s eSports league, the Female Pro League, which aims to promote inclusivity and create new opportunities for female gamers. 

Youth and junior success: A foundation for future champions

At the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, Kazakhstan achieved its best-ever result, winning 93 medals and ranking third overall. The country’s next generation of boxers also excelled at the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships in Colombo, where Kazakh athletes captured 22 gold medals, including sweeping all women’s weight divisions.

Kazakh athletes competed in more than 20 sports. Photo credit: National Olympic Committee’s press service.

Kazakh juniors continued to show promise in tennis, figure skating, and athletics, demonstrating the growing depth of talent across multiple sports.

From Champions League debuts and world titles to Hall of Fame inductions and record-breaking youth performances, 2025 solidified Kazakhstan’s reputation as a rising global sports nation.