Kazakh Cameraman Ibrai Tulemissov Goes Viral After Running With Athletes

Ibrai Tulemissov, a 40‑year‑old sports cameraman from Shymkent, Kazakhstan, became an internet sensation when a clip of him sprinting ahead of competitors during the Kazakhstan Junior Athletics Championships was shared online. Coach Assiya Rabayeva posted the footage on Instagram, adding a humorous cartoon overlay; the video quickly amassed tens of thousands of likes and widespread attention.

Tulemissov, who works for the city’s sports department, explained that he has been training in cycling, triathlon and mountain running since childhood, which enables him to keep pace with athletes while filming. He said, “I am just a simple cameraman who loves his job. I run, swim and film athletes every day.” The viral moment highlighted the blend of his athletic hobby and professional work, earning him unexpected fame on social media.

The championship took place in late June in Shymkent, and the video resurfaced a month later, gaining rapid traction across platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.