The Mongolian boxers were excellent during the 2009 AIBA World Championships in Milan and since then, the competitors have collected several important medals. The strong Asian nation now expects a high number of qualification places for the London 2012 Olympic Games at the upcoming AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying event in Astana. These quotas would add to the two places already collected last year.
Purevdorj Serdamba, a Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist and AIBA World Champion, secured his place for this year's Olympic Games following his hard-fought bronze medal at the last edition of the AIBA World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Serdamba suffered some unexpected losses after the Milan event, but has been training hard to in the hope of defeating Chinese living legend, three-time AIBA World Champion Zou Shiming, in London.
AIBA World Championship bronze medallist and Beijing Olympian, veteran Uranchimeg Munkherdene was the second Mongolian boxer to qualify for the London Olympic Games last year. The Light Welterweight fighter has been part of the national squad since 2000 and has fought an excess of 250 career bouts. He is widely recognised as one of the most accomplished boxers in his weight division and has more than a fighting chance of making it to the top of the podium this summer in London.
Beijing Olympic Games winner, Enkhbat Badar-Uugan, returned to the world of boxing after some very serious injuries. The 27-year-old Bantamweight boxer has the mental toughness and the know-how to make a big impact in Astana and earn a place for the Olympic Games. It would be a remarkable fairytale for him, having been written-off last year.
At only 17, Tugstsogt Nyambayar took part in the 2009 AIBA World Championships in Milan and defied the odds by achieving a silver medal. Nyambayar is currently the top Flyweight athlete in his country, and now at 20 years old, is a big contender for both Olympic qualification and medals in London.
Asian Games silver medallist and Beijing Olympian, Enkhzorig Zorigtbaatar, defeated his tough local opponent, Javkhlan Bariadi, in the Mongolian National Championships last month and thus fighting in the Lightweight class, he secured the right to represent his country at the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Event in Astana this April.
World University Champion, Byamba Tuvshinbat, and Mongolia's top Light Heavyweight, Sandagsuren Erdenebayar, also have the skills to perform in 2012. On the other hand, Asian Championship silver medallist, Chuluuntumur Tumurkhuyag, lost his Middleweight final against Narmandakh Shinebayar at the National Championships and will be unable to seek qualification for the Olympic Games.
Mongolia's new wave of young bright prospects secured two gold medals in the National Championships in February with Light Flyweight, 19-year-old Gankhuyag Ganerdene, and Light Welterweight, Chinzorig Baatarsukh, making names for them.
The capital city of Mongolia, Ulanbaatar, will be the host of the upcoming Asian Women's Championships, where a record number of boxers are expected to take part. The Mongolian women's squad is fighting for one common goal, and that is to secure the first ever women's gold medal in that competition. Asian Women's Championship silver medallist, Nandintsetseg Myagmardulam, multiple-National Champion, 22-year-old Oyungurel Suvderdene and Asian Games silver medallist, Erdenesoyol Undram, are the big hopes for realising that exciting ambition.
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