O.Nasanburmaa: Perhaps I will land on something bigger than World Championships

The World Wrestling Championships took place at Budapest, Hungary from October 20 to 28. There, O.Nasanburmaa won a silver medal in the 72 kg women’s event on October 24. In doing so, she has become the first Mongolian to have won four medals from the World Championships.

Ten years ago, O.Nasanburmaa won a bronze medal in the World Wrestling Championships taking place in Tokyo, Japan. Since then, she has won bronze medals in both 2012 and 2013. At the time of her third bronze medal, some were critical of her for only winning bronze medals, a testament to the enormous pressure on her to succeed. In her 10th year anniversary of her bronze medal from the championships, she has made a

comeback and increased her rank significantly.

You have made a historical achievement by winning four World Championships medals in the past 10 years. It has only been a few days since you arrived in Mongolia. Did you rest well?

The Mongolians have successfully participated in the World Wrestling Championships in Hungary by winning one silver, and two bronze medals. When I came to Mongolia, my fellow officers, family members, friends and my classmates from the Academy of Governance greeted me and I was very touched.

It was a great day that I will remember forever. I still have not rested well yet.

On the day you came back to Mongolia, traditional wrestler N.Zolboo celebrated his khartsaga title. Did you celebrate with him?

Yes, of course, I did. N.Zolboo and I are from the same place. Even before I transferred to the Railway Police Department, we were in Khuch Sports Association together.

When you were being awarded your medal, were you more upset about the fact that you did not become the champion or were you proud of how you became the first Mongolian to win four medals from the World Championships?

It would have been great to be called world champion and I am sad about how I did not win the gold. The image of me losing to the Canadian wrestler is still in my memory fresh. However, I will not be upset for winning silver medal. On the contrary, I will clench it tight.

To reach this victory, I have set aside my personal life and devoted all of myself. I have practiced freestyle wrestling for the past 15 years of my life. All of this is thanks to the public who supported me, my family, and my coaches.

Since I won my third medal from the World Championships in 2013, I have been working hard to improve my success and become world champion. On the other hand, I wanted to repay the people who supported me.

I have changed the color of my medal and achieved a part of the success that I set out for. Though I did not become the champion, I did fight for the championship title. I am proud for that. The World Championships will not end with this one. I will get the opportunity to do this again.

Next year, I will work hard to have the Mongolian national anthem play on the global arena. Out of two large achievements possible, one was not filled. Perhaps I will land on something bigger than this. Until Tokyo 2020, I will set aside my personal life and aim to become a champion.

I participated in almost all the competitions this year. I did not win medals from all of them, including the Asian Games. I was well prepared mentally and physically for the World Championships, so I was sure that I would win a medal.

There are many things that can affect a person’s victory, including the astrology of the day and their readiness. It feels comforting to participate in any competition with your first coach. I participated with coach T.Sukhbaatar by my side.

Before Budapest 2018, your ankle was injured. Was it painful to wrestle?

About a week before I went to Budapest, my ankle started to act up. It was painful and I couldn’t stand, so I did not practice at all. The World Championships was about to start and I was so upset that something like this happened. I thought to myself, “Why am I so unlucky.”

When I was upset, T.Sukhbaatar coach told me, “Rest for a few days. You can continue preparations before the championships starts.”

I healed myself and I aimed for the World Championships, but in the second match, I was wrestling against a Turkish wrestler and I made my injury worse. I would like to thank doctor Saraa for helping me get well in a difficult situation like this.

Not only as a wrestler, but as a person, you have become someone loved by all Mongolians. Is it stressful that people demand such high achievements from you?

I am used to it at this point. It is very rare that I come back from a competition without any medals. When I come back from a competition, my parents always ask me, “My daughter,

what medal did you get?”

The weight class that you wrestle in now is 72 kg and is not an Olympic weight division. In Tokyo 2020, will you gain or lose weight to wrestle?

I will compete in the 68 kg division. I am going to rest for a few days and start training again.

...To reach this victory, I have set aside my personal life and devoted all of myself. I have practiced freestyle wrestling for the past

15 years of my life. All of this is thanks to the public who supported me, my family, and my coaches...