Ts.namuuntsetseg and O.burmaa Misses Their Chances for Olympic Qualifications

By B.TUNGALAG

The first Olympic Games World Qualifying Tournament to Rio 2016 in freestyle wrestling was held at Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Palace in Ulaanbaatar from April 22 to 24.

More than 500 wrestlers from 80 countries competed for Olympic quotas. From Mongolia, Asian champion D.Khuderbulga (men's 97 kg), International Sports Master Ts.Namuuntsetseg (women's 48 kg), and State Honored Athlete O.Burmaa (women's 75 kg) competed in the tournament for Olympic quotas.

On April 23, Ts.Namuutsetseg and O.Burmaa lost to their opponents, and were not able to win Olympic quotas. During the tournament, senior coach of the Mongolian national women's wrestling team and State Honored Coach B.Batbayar gave an interview to Eagle.mn.

You believed that Ts.Namuuntsetseg and O.Burmaa would win Olympic quotas. What do you think about their performance?

Mongolian wrestlers except Ts.Namuuntsetseg, O.Burmaa and D.Khuderbulga have won Olympic qualification in every weight category. We competed in this tournament with a purpose to take Olympic quotas, but we didn't fulfill our goal. I think Ts.Namuuntsetseg and O.Burmaa tried their best. O.Burmaa made a technical error. But I don't blame her.

For Ts.Namuuntsetseg, she has lack of experience from international tournaments. She has a chance to become an Olympic and world champion if she improves her skills and technique.

The Olympic qualification tournament is taking place in Mongolia for the first time. Do you think that Mongolian athletes were psychologically well prepared because the tournament is taking place in their home country?

Yes, they were. Everything was on our side. Unfortunately, we didn't use that chance. I want to apologize to all Mongolians who love freestyle wrestling.

At the tournament, O.Burmaa competed against silver and bronze medalist of the World Championship...