Denis Ten’s mother responds to proposal to name Almaty street after her son

Tengrinews.kz – The mother of late Kazakh figure skater Denis Ten has shared her thoughts on a proposal to name a street in Almaty in honor of her son.
The proposal was put forward by the Almaty city administration, which submitted a list to the maslikhat suggesting the renaming of 156 streets across seven districts. The new names are meant to honor notable figures in culture, science, and history. Public discussions and a maslikhat vote will determine the final decision.
One of the suggestions includes renaming the 7th Street in the Arhat microdistrict of Bostandyk district after Denis Ten.
Screenshot from 2gis.kz
Speaking to Tengrinews.kz, Denis’s mother, Oksana Ten, said the proposal came as a surprise.

"I believe it could have been done earlier, but I’m very happy with this news. Now I’m curious to see what decision they will make," she said briefly.

Remembering Denis Ten
Denis Ten was born on June 13, 1993, in Almaty. He began skating in 1999 and, by 2006, had already won the national championship at age 12, competing against adults.
He made history by becoming the first Kazakh skater to win a medal at an ISU (International Skating Union) competition, taking gold at a Junior Grand Prix event in 2008. At age 16, he represented Kazakhstan at the 2010 Winter Olympics, becoming the youngest male competitor in the field.
Denis went on to win a silver medal at the 2013 World Championships and bronze in 2015. In between, he took bronze at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and made history again by winning gold at the Four Continents Championships in 2015.
The tragic death
Denis Ten was fatally stabbed on July 19, 2018, during an altercation with car thieves in Almaty. The skaters’ vehicle mirrors had been stolen, and when Denis tried to stop the thieves, he was attacked. One of the attackers stabbed him in the thigh, severing a major artery. He died from the injury.
In 2019, two men, Arman Kudaibergenov and Nurali Kiyasov, were sentenced to 18 years in prison for his murder. A third accomplice, Zhanar Tolibayeva, received four years but was temporarily released in 2019 due to health concerns and childbirth. She later returned to prison and was fully released in 2021. In July 2024, the sentences for the convicted individuals were reduced.