In a historic milestone for Kyrgyzstan and women’s sports, mountaineer Asel Baybagyshova has become the first Kyrgyz woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest — the highest point on Earth. The feat was accomplished on May 11, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. after a strenuous 54-hour climb that began on April 14.

Eduard Kubatov, President of the Kyrgyz Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing, hailed the achievement as a groundbreaking moment in the country’s athletic history. Baybagyshova’s ascent was supported by fellow mountaineer Kadyr Saydylkan, who celebrated the moment on social media with heartfelt words, declaring it a victory not just for Asel but for all Kyrgyz women.

Baybagyshova’s resume includes ascents of other prominent Kyrgyz peaks such as Khan Tengri, Victory Peak, and Jel-Aydar. In 2022, she became the only Kyrgyz woman to summit Manaslu (8,163 meters) without supplementary oxygen, marking a precedent in Central Asian mountaineering.

Her achievement is more than a sporting success — it is a symbol of Kyrgyz women’s strength, resilience, and a declaration of their place on the world stage.