Yerbol Khamitov

Yerbol Khamitov
Personal information
Born (1997-09-09) 9 September 1997
Sport
Country Kazakhstan
SportParalympic Nordic skiing (Paralympic cross-country skiing and Paralympic biathlon)
Disability classLW12
Medal record
Representing  Kazakhstan
Men's para biathlon
Winter Paralympics
2026 Milano Cortina Sprint pursuit sitting
World Championships
2025 Pokljuka 12.5 km sitting
2023 Östersund 7.5 km sitting
2023 Östersund 12.5 km sitting
Men's paralympic cross-country skiing
Winter Paralympics
2026 Milano Cortina Sprint sitting
World Championships
2023 Östersund Sprint sitting
2025 Trondheim Sprint sitting

Yerbol Khamitov (born 9 September 1997) is a Kazakhstani Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete.

Career

Khamitov represented Kazakhstan at the 2022 Winter Paralympics and served as a flag bearer during the 2022 Winter Paralympics Parade of Nations.[1] He competed at the 2023 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in para cross-country and won a gold medal in the sprint sitting event.[2] He also competed in para-biathlon and won bronze medals in the 7.5 kilometre sprint and 12.5 kilometre sprint events.[3][4]

In February 2025, he competed at the 2025 Para Biathlon World Championships and won a gold medal in the 12.5 kilometre individual sitting event.[5] He became the first Para Biathlon World Champion from Kazakhstan.[6] He then competed at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025 and won a bronze medal in the sprint sitting event with a time of 2:32.45.[7] This marked the first time that para cross-country athletes raced in the same stadium and on the same day as their able-bodied counterparts.[8] During the 2025 Para Biathlon World Cup, he won the overall crystal globe, becoming the first Kazakhstani athlete to accomplish this.[9]

In February 2026, he was selected to represent Kazakhstan at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.[10] He won a gold medal in the sprint pursuit sitting event with a time of 9:39.0. This was Kazakhstan's first gold medal at the Winter Paralympic Games since 2018.[11]

Personal life

At 19 years old, Khamitov was shot in the knee and had his leg amputated.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Kazakhstan's Paralympic Team Participates in Beijing 2022 Paralympics Opening Ceremony". The Astana Times. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Yerbol Khamitov takes gold at Para Nordic Skiing World Championships in Östersund". qazinform.com. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Yerbol Khamitov of Kazakhstan wins biathlon 7.5km sprint bronze at Para Nordic World Championships". qazinform.com. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Kazakhstan's Yerbol Khamitov wins biathlon bronze at Para Nordic World Championships in Sweden". qazinform.com. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Five takeaways from the Para Biathlon World Championships". paralympic.org. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Historical champion from Kazakhstan wins new award". tengrinews.kz. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ^ "N Kazakhstan para athletes sweep five medals at world championships". qazinform.com. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Para Cross-Country stars shine in historic inclusive event in Trondheim". fis-ski.com. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Kazakhstan's Yerbol Khamitov secures Crystal Globe at IBU Para Biathlon World Cup". qazinform.com. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Kazakhstan announces its roster for 2026 Winter Paralympics". qazinform.com. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Kazakhstan's Yerbol Khamitov wins gold at 2026 Paralympic Games". qazinform.com. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.