Kazakh retired police general swims across seas at 66
After four decades in law enforcement, Askar Ospanov finds a new calling in open-water swimming — proving that age is no barrier to endurance
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — At 66, retired police Maj. Gen. Askar Ospanov is demonstrating that discipline and determination can carry a person across any distance — even between continents.
The former officer from Almaty took up swimming seriously only a few years ago, after watching his son compete in the 2018 Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race, a 6.5-kilometer swim between Asia and Europe in Istanbul.
“I saw an 80-year-old Turkish swimmer, Levent Aksüt, finish to a standing ovation,” Ospanov told The Times of Central Asia. “Everyone applauded him. That moment changed me — I thought, why can’t I do that?”
Since then, he has completed open-water races worldwide. In September, Ospanov swam 15 kilometers across the Strait of Bonifacio, from France’s Corsica to Italy’s Sardinia, in seven hours and 50 minutes. He has also competed in OCEANMAN and X-WATERS events in Dubai, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Lake, and several Kazakh lakes, often winning medals in the 60+ category.
A lifelong volleyball player, Ospanov turned to swimming after knee injuries ended his time on the court. “Doctors said I needed movement without load — cycling or swimming,” he said. “I didn’t want a bike, so I chose the water. Each year, swimming gives me more strength.”
His coach, Evgeny Alexandrov, a Master of Sport of International Class, described him as “disciplined and resilient,” noting that training is adjusted for age and old injuries.
“When he started, he could only breathe on one side,” Alexandrov said. “Now he’s mastering balance, symmetry, and endurance. It’s not about speed — it’s about sustainability.”
Ospanov trains three times a week at Almaty’s Altyn-Kargaly Hotel-Sanatorium, covering about 10 kilometers per session, and practices yoga for flexibility. His three sons — Galym, Aslan, and Imangali — are all swimmers, with grandchildren following in their strokes.
His inspirations include Cyril Baldock, who crossed the English Channel at 70, and Mieko Nagaoka of Japan, who swam 1,500 meters at 100.
After four decades in government service, including 30 years with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ospanov now devotes his time to training — and to inspiring youth.
“When I visit schools, the kids look at me with big eyes,” he said. “Maybe one of them will be the next swimmer — or maybe they’ll just believe that it’s never too late to begin.”
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