Nurdaulet Zhumagali

Started: He began swimming in 2010, at age 11, in Taraz, Kazakhstan. In 2020 he switched his focus to Para swimming. (tengrinews.kz, 29 Oct 2021; Athlete, 19 Aug 2021) Reason: He was advised by an eye specialist to switch from swimming to Para swimming. "I wanted to do boxing, but for health reasons it was impossible. Then I played football but I broke my leg. My father said that football was a very traumatic sport and brought me to a swimming pool. Before each training camp, we underwent a medical examination. In 2020, an ophthalmologist said that with my vision I could only participate in Para sports. I was shocked. Then I spoke to my coach. We thought about it and decided it was an opportunity that should not be missed." (tengrinews.kz, 29 Oct 2021) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. (baigenews.kz, 12 Oct 2021) Milestones: At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo he became the youngest athlete to win a Paralympic medal for Kazakhstan when he claimed bronze in the men's SB13 100m breaststroke at age 22 years and 216 days. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Jul 2024) Awards: In recognition of the bronze medal he won at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he received the Order of Kurmet [Honour] from the president of Kazakhstan. (akorda.kz, 06 Sep 2021) He has received the title of Master of Sport in Kazakhstan. (paralympic.kz, 24 Aug 2021)