Astana 2025 Team Preview: Get to know Kazakhstan

The 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool will take place from 6-11 September in Astana, Kazakhstan, with six national teams competing in 15 games over six days. Hosted by the Kazakhstan Para Hockey Federation Tarlan Arena, the participating nations will include Italy, Japan, Sweden, Kazakhstan, France and Finland. 

The top two finishers from the round-robin tournament event will earn promotion to the A-Pool for the 2027 season and spots at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The bottom team will be released to the C-Pool for next season.

The vibrant host city, Astana, is the capital of Kazakhstan and is the country’s second-largest city with over one million residents. It is home to several professional ice hockey teams, including Barys Astana, which forms the core of the Kazakh national squad competing at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. This will be the 11th edition of B-Pool Worlds and the fourth time it is held in Asia. 

Here’s a look at Team Kazakhstan.

Background

Host nation Kazakhstan’s Para ice hockey journey is a rapid yet inspiring ascent: the country launched its programme roughly five years ago with vital support from the IPC’s Agitos Foundation and domestic sponsors. They burst onto the international stage by seizing silver at the 2022 C‑Pool Worlds, earning automatic promotion to the B-Pool. 

In 2023, when they made their B‑Pool debut and hosted the tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan fared respectably, finishing fourth with two wins, including a tight 4–3 victory over Great Britain. Entering the 2024 B‑Pool edition in Skien, the team, led by rising star Aidos Toktarbayev and coached by Timur Bixitov, repeated that feat, and so this time around the team will be looking for a podium spot.

No time to rest! 🏒

After the historic Women’s World Championships, we now head straight to the B-Pool Worlds in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Only 5 days to go 🇰🇿✨

🗓️ 6-11 September
🏒 Italy, Japan, Sweden, Kazakhstan, France and Finland.
More info: https://t.co/weEUVJRh3I pic.twitter.com/giNIIyh3L9

— Para Ice Hockey (@paraicehockey) September 1, 2025

World Championships History 

2024: 4th place (B-Pool)
2023: 4th place (B-Pool)
2022: Silver medal (C-Pool)

Roster 

Forwards: Kuat Karipbayev, Aidos Toktarbayev, Alexandr Paskhalidi, Kairat Sabirov, Oleg Basmanov
Defenders: Korgan Konkulov, Sundet Shormanov, Yerbolat Abdygalimov, Yerlik Bokanov, Almas Akhmetov, Dmitriy Bondarenko, Zhanibektarkhan Bexultan
Goaltenders: Mukhtar Koilybayev, Oleg Basmanov
Head Coach: Eldar Abdulayev

Athlete to Watch    

Aidos Toktarbayev is the breakout star to watch at this year’s World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool, leading Kazakhstan’s charge with skill, speed, and relentless determination. At just 26, he anchors a team that’s gone from grassroots beginnings to serious contenders in just a few short years.

Toktarbayev was Kazakhstan’s top scorer at the 2023 B-Pool tournament in Astana, racking up 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 5 games, and followed up with another strong showing at the 2024 championships in Skien, Norway. His leadership and offensive presence helped Kazakhstan secure wins over France and Finland, with Toktarbayev often dominating shifts through intelligent positioning and a heavy shot.

Game Schedule 

Saturday, 6 September 
19:00 — Sweden vs. Kazakhstan

Sunday, 7 September 
19:00 — Japan vs. Kazakhstan

Monday, 8 September 
19:00— Italy vs. Kazakhstan

Wednesday, 10 September 
19:00 — Kazakhstan vs. France

Thursday, 11 September 
19:00 — Kazakhstan vs. Finland