Sixteen-year-old Pavel Kuznetsov made a golden debut in Sulaymaniyah, winning three titles as Kazakhstan enjoyed a successful campaign at the second stage of the 2026 Asia Cup, which concluded at the Sulaymaniyah Sport Club on Thursday.
Kuznetsov topped the compound men’s individual event, helped Kazakhstan defeat defending champions Bangladesh in the men’s team final and teamed up with Elmira Raissova to win the compound mixed team title.
The individual final saw Kuznetsov face compatriot Nikita Ivlev, another 16-year-old making his Asia Cup debut. In an all-Kazakh contest, Kuznetsov prevailed 145-143, underlining the strength of the country’s emerging young compound squad.
The match remained close through the opening stages, with both archers scoring 29 in the first end. Kuznetsov then found a perfect 30 to move two points ahead. Ivlev responded with 29 in the third end to narrow the gap, but another 30 from Kuznetsov in the fourth restored his advantage. Ivlev finished with 29, while Kuznetsov’s 28 was enough to seal the title.
Bangladesh’s top seed Nawaz Ahmed Rakib took bronze, defeating compatriot Md Thoriqul Islam 145-139.
