Mongolia Wins Its First Taekwondo Olympic Qualification

By B.TUNGALAG

Aldar Sports Committee athlete P.Temuujin, 22, became the first Mongolian to win an Olympic quota for taekwondo at the Asian Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which took place on April 16 and 17 in Pasay, Philippines.

He has won a silver medal in the men's -68kg category of the Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament.

In the bronze medal match, he defeated silver and bronze medalist of the Olympics Rohullah Nikpai of Afghanistan.

In the Olympic quota match, he beat Chang Cheng-hao of Taiwan 12:7.

P.Temuujin lost the final to Ahmad Abu-Ghaush from Jordan 2:14.

The top two athletes from each weight category of the tournament won Olympic quotas.

Member of the Executive Committee of the Mongolian Taekwondo Federation J.Aldarbayar promised to give a 10 million MNT prize to P.Temuujin.

P.Temuujin gave a brief interview to Eagle.mn.

Congratulations on winning the first Olympic quota of Mongolia in taekwondo.

Thank you. I am very happy. I understand now that we can see the results of our work if we try hard. I want to express my gratitude to the president of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee D.Zagdsuren, secretary-general J.Otgontsagaan, head of the Physical Training and Development Center D.Jargalsaikhan, head of the Mongolian national taekwondo team Ch.Erdenetuya, Aldar Sports Committee, president of the Mongolian Taekwondo Federation D.Enkhbat, coach N.Erdenebaatar, and my family for supporting me.

What were you thinking about when you won the Olympic quota?

I was very thankful to my teammates and family. I am also proud that I was born in Mongolia. I couldn't reach this success without the Mongolian Taekwondo Federation, athletes and coaches. I shouted, "I did it", when I won the Olympic quota. I couldn't believe it for a while. I thought, "Did I really win it?" The Olympic Qualification Tournament is one of the hardest tournaments, because there is only one taekwondo tournament for Olympic quota. For example, there are a series of Olympic qualification tournaments of judo, wrestling and...