Young Turkmen tennis player Alihan Nuryagdyev continues to confidently establish himself on the international stage. At the prestigious Astana Masters 10 & Under GA «Akim Cup» Round to TOP 8 international children's tournament held in Astana, Kazakhstan, the 8-year-old alumnus of the Ashgabat Tennis Academy won gold in singles and bronze in doubles, confirming his status as one of the strongest players in his age category, The Golden age electronic newspaper reports.
The competition took place on the courts of the Daulet Tennis Centre and brought together the best young tennis players in the 10 and under category. The tournament was held according to the rules of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Up to 64 athletes competed in the singles main draw, and 32 in the doubles, ensuring a high level of competition.
Alihan performed particularly well in singles, where the competition was held under an improved Olympic system with all places played out. Each match consisted of two sets best of four games.
On his way to the gold medal, 13th-seeded Alihan Nuryagdyev won six matches, demonstrating confident play, excellent technique, and a high level of mental resilience.
Remarkably, in three decisive matches – the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final – Alihan lost only one game to his opponents, which was a clear indication of his high level of preparation and confident play at the most crucial moments of the competition.
Alihan also had a successful performance in the double’s competition. He reached the semifinals with Kazakhstan tennis player Akmal Izbassarov from Astana and then defeated the Kazakh duo Nikita Pan and Amirali Zhunussov 4-2, 4-2 in the third-place match, winning the bronze medal at the international tournament.
The victory in Astana was a logical continuation of brilliant performance of Alihan at the Aktobe Masters 10 & Under GA Road to TOP 8 international tournament, which took place from the 25th to 30th of May, 2026, in Aktobe.
Back then, the eight-year-old Turkmen tennis player caused a real sensation by winning two gold medals – in singles and doubles. Thus, in just two consecutive international tournaments, Alihan Nuryagdyev won four medals, including three gold and one bronze.
Alihan Nuryagdyev, who turns 9 on October 24, is already one of the most promising young tennis players of Turkmenistan. He is a second grader at the Joint Turkmen-Russian secondary comprehensive school named after A.S. Pushkin and successfully combines his studies with intensive training and participation in international competitions.
Coaches of Alihan, Yuriy Rogusskiy and Meylis Orazmuhammedov, have made a significant contribution to his athletic development. Under their guidance, Alihan has consistently improved his technical skills, tactical thinking, and psychological resilience.
