Surprising choices in Mongolian Olympic judo team

The Mongolian team for the Olympic Games in Rio hosts some surprising choices. Mongolia had even four choices for the men U60kg including 2014 World Champion Boldbaatar Ganbat, but the technical staff have chosen for young daredevil Tsogtbaatar Tsend-Ochir who fought the World Junior Championships final in 2014 and in 2015. Tsend-Ochir won a bronze medal at the World Cadet Championships in 2013. In 2015 he was in the final of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and showed some great judo.

Also in the category U73kg not the experienced Sainjargal (13) but Odbayar Ganbaatar, who was ranked higher (10). U66kg a solid choice for Tumurkhuleg Davaadorj (2) where also Dovdon had a seeded position (6). Also enough competition U81kg where a choice was made for 28-year old Uuganbaatar Otgonbaatar (18) instead of higher ranked Nyamsuren (14). All higher categories were undisputed with choices for Otgonbaatar Lkhagvasuren U90kg, Olympic legend Tuvshinbayar Naidan U100kg and Temuulen Battulga as heavyweight.

In the women’s selection as well enough competition within the team but the choice U48kg was easy for Urantsetseg Munkhbat. A choice U52kg for the younger Tsolmon Adiyasambuu instead of 30-year old Bundmaa Munkhbaatar. World Ranking leader Sumiya Dorjsuren had no internal competition and seems the most likely medallist in the women’s team. U63kg again two women close in the ranking and both seeded, but a logical choice made for Munkhzaya Tsedevsuren over Tsend-Ayush. U70kg Naranjargal Tsend Ayush and U78kg Lkhamdegd Purevjargal were the only qualified athletes.

A team of 13 athletes, 7 men and 6 women and for sure some medals and the target of last edition in London should be achieved with two medals. Naidan will try to capture a third Olympic medal, although he is not among the favourites, but the Olympic vibe will again inspire him for a third attempt.