Kazakh paratrooper Muhiadin
Sumagul claimed the top spot at the Best Warrior 2024 competition in the U.S. He
set a new record in the 20-kilometer foot march, completing the distance in one
hour and 59 minutes. Tournament organizers compared Sumagul’s achievement with
the phenomenon of legendary Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, who won a record
12 marathons from the prestigious World Marathon Majors series. It bears noting
that the sergeant finished first in almost every stage. The same applies to another
Kazakh participant, Orynbek Sandybekov, who secured the second position in the foot
march. Overall, the competitions covered several disciplines, along with disassembly
and assembly of weapons, shooting, land navigation and others.
“I dedicate this victory to my mother. I
started training back in my school days in Kyzylorda. Thus, I was engaged in
martial arts and used to run every day. At first, I ran medium distances and
then moved on to long ones,” said Sumagul.
“We developed a plan to prepare for the
competition. Training sessions led by special instructors lasted for two
hours each day, including pull-ups on the bar, lifting dumbbells, kettlebells,
and barbells, as well as light athletics,” said Rustem Seitov, sergeant of the
military unit 32363 brigade.
To date, the Kazakh military personnel continue
to serve in the air assault troops. Their garrison is located near Konayev
city, where daily training sessions are held to prepare future paratroopers.