Mongolian kendoka brings home silver medal from Beijing Open Championship
Mongolian kendo athletes successfully competed in the 2017 Renshin Cup CKOU Beijing Open Kendo Championship held in Beijing, on April 8 and 9.
M.Sarantuya of Chikara Kendo Club of the Mongolian Kendo Federation won a silver medal in the women’s individual category. Her victory marked Mongolia’s first medal earned in the individual category of an international tournament.
The following is an interview with M.Sarantuya.
Congratulations on making a great contribution to the sport of kendo in Mongolia.
Thank you. I succeeded at an international tournament for the first time. Previously, I competed in an international tournament in South Korea. That time, I didn’t compete well. I think that loss influenced today’s victory. I prepared well for this tournament, because I didn’t want to lose again. I am very happy.
Which opponent was the most powerful?
The most interesting match for me was against China. We had a draw, but the referees gave me an extra point. At that time, I thought kendo is such a fair sport.
After that, I competed against a Russian kendoka. The Russian athlete was more experienced and powerful than I was. I defeated her and was very happy.
The bronze medal match continued for too long, but I won. In the gold medal match, I was tired and couldn’t give a good performance.
How long have you been practicing kendo?
I was introduced to kendo when I was studying at the University of Delaware in the USA, in 2010. I really liked kendo uniforms. The sport of kendo looks easy, but it’s hard to practice in reality. I stopped practicing kendo for three years due to personal matters. After graduating from university, I started practicing again. I have been practicing kendo intensively since 2014.
At first, you liked the kendo uniform. Why do you like kendo now?
Kendo is a unique sport that develops a person’s heart and mind. Kendo makes people very combative and opens up a person’s inner thoughts. There is deep philosophy in kendo. It would take me days to explain kendo. Anyway, kendo is really nice. There are lots of things to learn about kendo.
You were a member of the Mongolian national kendo team for the World Kendo Championship. What did you achieve there?
I wasn’t a permanent member of the national kendo team, that’s why I didn’t compete in big matches. At the time, I wanted to improve my kendo skills.
I am planning to come in first place at the next World Kendo Championship and represent Mongolia.
What are your next tournaments?
During the tournament in Beijing, the organizers invited us to compete as a guest team for the National Kendo Championship of China in October.
The Mongolian kendo team will compete in that tournament. We are also planning to compete in an open tournament in France in 2018.