J.Anujin, a member of “Team Oggi” club and a cycling sports master, has made a significant impact on the cycling scene in a remarkably short period. Under the guidance of an experienced coach, she quickly caught the attention of sports enthusiasts with her skills, even as a junior competitor. Competing fiercely in the senior category, J.Anujin has already claimed four national championships. For her, 2022 was a breakthrough year in terms of personal growth and achievement. She took part in the “Korea Satellite” training program under the auspices of the UCI World Cycling Centre and later tested her speed at the 19th Asian Games “Hangzhou 2022” in the mass-start race. Although she didn’t win, the experience fueled her ambition. This year, she traveled to Vietnam to compete in the Biwase Cup 2024, a multi-day international cycling event, where she finished third in the seventh stage. Now, she is preparing to join the Mongolian women’s team for the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships, taking place in Zurich, Switzerland, from September 21 to 29. We had the opportunity to speak with her about her experience and journey. 

 

The 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Switzerland is happening. How do you feel?

 

Our women’s team, led by Honored Coach Ya.Baatar, is in the final stages of preparation for the championships. The men’s team, under coach T.Tuguldur, has departed for Switzerland before us. It’s essential to arrive a few days before the competition to acclimatize to the weather and familiarize ourselves with the race course. Zurich’s climate is quite similar to Mongolia’s—cool and temperate—so we expect to adapt quickly.

This will be my seventh international competition, but it is by far the most prestigious. Competing alongside the world’s best cyclists, many of whom I’ve only ever admired on television, is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I’m eagerly counting down the days until I can finally take the handlebars and join them on the starting line. 

In cycling, races often play out differently than expected, so I’ll need to adapt my tactics in real-time. Our coach places a strong emphasis on endurance, hill climbing, and speed training, particularly over long distances and difficult terrain. He also stresses the importance of teamwork during the race, ensuring that we know how to respond to and support one another.

 

You’re a graduate of the National Sports School, from which many top cyclists graduated. What makes this school so successful in fostering cycling talent?

 

I am one of the fortunate students who began my cycling journey under the mentorship of Coach B.Boldbaatar. Among the elite athletes, S.Jambaljamts, a graduate of this school, stands out as a role model for all of us. He represented Mongolia for the first time at the Paris Olympics—a milestone achievement we all admire. His qualification for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games was another testament to his incredible talent. Currently, I race under the guidance of coach A.Altansukh.

 

How did your parents feel about you taking up cycling? 

 

My parents were very supportive when I decided to start cycling. Their understanding and encouragement have been key to my persistence in the sport. Thanks to their support, I was able to stay committed and progress further. Both of my coaches, whether it was for junior or senior competitions, were always enthusiastic and gave me invaluable advice and guidance. I used to have a dream of joining “Team Oggi” club while I was still competing in the junior category, and that dream came true. Since then, I’ve had the chance to participate in international competitions.

 

Have there been moments during your training where you considered quitting?

 

On my first day, it felt incredibly tough, and I remember thinking, “Why did I choose this sport?” But with each day passing, my training improved, and winning medals fueled my motivation to keep going. The first time I won a bronze medal in the “Winter Champion” Mountain Biking National Championship, I knew I was hooked on cycling and there was no turning back.

Even during moments of extreme exhaustion when I felt like quitting, I would still wake up the next day and head back to training. I’ve had many such moments, but my determination always pulled me through. Whenever thoughts of giving up crossed my mind, my competitors motivated me to push harder. I am very competitive, and this trait has driven me to keep improving. I would constantly remind myself, “If I skip even a single day of training, I might lose the medal” and that mindset became a powerful motivator. At that time, I was fiercely competing against N.Zoljargal, Kh.Katya, and B.Nomin-Erdene, who were all top cyclists. Now, however, they have moved away from the sport, and four of us remain, competing internationally and representing Mongolia in global and continental events.

 

You won your second bronze medal in mountain biking as well, right?

 

Yes, that’s correct. In mountain biking, the competition is fierce, with lighter, faster cyclists dominating the field. The courses are rugged, full of obstacles, and test not only your speed but also your courage, determination, endurance, and drive. Over the past two years, I’ve been focusing more on road racing, which means I haven’t competed in mountain biking for quite some time. The preparation methods for the two disciplines are very different, and balancing both takes a lot of time and effort. That’s why I decided to specialize in just one.

 

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, must also hold a special place in your memory, as you competed in the Asian Youth Championships there. What was that experience like?

 

I first competed at the championships in Uzbekistan in 2019. It was a nerve-wracking experience—I was so excited but also very anxious. Seeing so many talented athletes was intimidating, and I didn’t perform as well as I had hoped. That competition really opened my eyes to the level of competition and the fierce rivalry that exists in cycling. I came back with a wealth of experience and a better understanding of my competitors’ strengths. Back then, the female cyclists from the host country weren’t as strong compared to today. Their skill level has improved drastically since then. In that championship, a cyclist from Hong Kong took first place, while the Japanese riders secured second and third places.

 

As you started bringing home medals, your coach must have been proud and more confident in your abilities.

 

Absolutely. I remember losing the national junior championship title to Kh.Katya in 2015-2016, but I bounced back the following year to claim the title and made my coach proud. I began competing in the senior category in 2018, racing against much more experienced cyclists. Each race has helped me improve. Training alongside men has also been beneficial—it pushes us women to achieve better results in competitions. If you can keep up with the men in training, you can definitely hold your own in continental championships.

 

For a long time, no one could surpass Ts.Solongo, the bronze medalist at the Asian Championships. I imagine you had to work incredibly hard to reach her level.

 

She’s incredibly strategic in races. She never misses an opportunity and is always well-prepared, knowing exactly how to pace herself. I’ve seen her break away from the pack just 200 meters before the finish line and take the win. Her sense of timing and experience are unmatched, and she consistently demonstrates her superiority on the racecourse. During the competition, we’re fierce rivals, but after the race, we always embrace and congratulate each other. I used to wonder when I would be able to surpass her, and I’m proud to say that I’ve finally accomplished that goal.

 

You’ve competed in many international races. Has Vietnam left a lasting impression, and do you hope to race there again?

 

Yes, I secured third place in the seventh stage and won a bronze medal in “Biwase Cup 2024”. Vietnam has invested a great deal in developing cycling as a sport, which was evident during the competition. They have teams that regularly compete in both international and continental championships. I was fortunate to be a guest rider for one of their teams. I trained there for three months, learning a lot from their cyclists during that time. Thai cyclists also put on a great show during the races, with well-organized teams that strategically work to secure top positions for their lead riders.

 

You also competed in a race held in Kazakhstan last June. How did that go?

 

I placed 20th in my age group. The course was much more difficult compared to other games. I expected the competition to intensify in the last five laps of the eight-lap race, but to my surprise, it got fierce right from the first lap. The terrain was tough, requiring immense endurance, but I pushed through and finished the race. Kazakhstan’s mountainous geography makes it more challenging compared to Mongolia, which added an extra level of difficulty. When we participate in international competitions, we rarely get the chance to explore the country’s history, culture, or landmarks due to our tight schedules. My coach, A.Altansukh, always reminds us before a race, “Be confident and brave,” and that advice has stayed with me. Since cycling is a technical sport, ensuring safety is paramount for the athletes during the races. Currently, Mongolia doesn’t have a women’s national cycling team, but I expect one will be formed next year.

 

Has UCI made any recent rule changes?

 

UCI has incorporated gender equality into its regulations, and as a result, Mongolian female cyclists have received an invitation to participate in this year’s World Championships. Over the past two years, the right policies have been implemented, providing women with opportunities to compete in Asian and European competitions, which has paved the way for success in this sport. I’m especially grateful to former member of parliament and Vice President of the Mongolian Cycling Federation, Ts.Munkhtsetseg, for her significant contributions. She has played a key role in forming a men’s national team, which had been absent for over 30 years, and has supported their participation in both domestic and international competitions.

 

What brand of bike do you use for competitions?

 

I race with a “Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2025” bike, manufactured in Taiwan. Before participating in the Asian Championships in May, my team gifted me this new bike. As I grew more familiar with the sport, I realized how crucial good equipment is for an athlete to perform well.

 

Winning a race and earning the leader’s jersey is one of the highest honors in cycling, isn’t it?

 

Absolutely, in multi-day races, the cyclist leading the overall time standings gets to wear the yellow jersey. I keep my jerseys as mementos, framing them for display. If I win the national championships, the state flag is prominently printed on my team’s uniform for the following year. I’ve proudly worn it for four consecutive years. Unfortunately, Mongolia doesn’t have a specialized factory for producing cycling uniforms, so we have to order them from abroad.

 

Athletes often excel in specific types of races or distances. Which races have you won most of your medals in?

 

I particularly enjoy individual time trials. Looking at my collection of medals, most of them are from road races. In previous multi-day domestic competitions, I consistently placed in the top three overall, but last year, I won first place in Tuv Province for the first time. My family always supports me, especially as the races approach, ensuring I have everything I need. When competing abroad for extended periods, I do miss my mom’s home-cooked meals.

 

Watching the Belgian cyclist dominate the cycling event at the Paris Olympics was inspiring. What are your thoughts on that race?

 

Even though I was busy training during the summer, I made sure not to miss the cycling events at the Paris Olympics. I was particularly excited to see S.Jambaljamts compete. The performance of 23-year-old Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel was especially moving. Despite being ahead of the pack, his bike had a puncture just three minutes before reaching the finish line. He couldn’t continue on his own but managed to borrow a bike from a teammate and went on to win the race. He’s the only cyclist in Olympic history to win both the individual time trial and the road race, earning two gold medals. He’s already established himself as a dominant figure in the sport, consistently ranking first in the world. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage young cyclists: “If you want to succeed, stay persistent. Even when things seem tough, stay resilient, and you’ll reach your goals.” And to my teammates who will be competing in the World Championships, I’d say, “Give it all and race well!”