Mongolian national women’s boxing team member and athlete of the “Khilchin” Sports Committee, Asian bronze medalist and International Master of Sports M.Namuun began practicing boxing from a young age. The year that brought her significant achievements and ignited her motivation was 2015. That year, she returned with a bronze medal from the World Youth Boxing Championship, a success that greatly influenced her future performances in international competitions. Two years later, she competed in the Youth Women’s World Boxing Championships and won another bronze medal, marking the beginning of her rise among the sport’s elites and paving the way for her entry into the national team. Starting her athletic career at the boxing gym in Orkhon Province and winning the national championship seven times, she went on to claim a bronze medal at the 2019 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships. She then emerged as a double champion at the “World Boxing Cup” tournaments, held in Germany in 2023 and in Mongolia in 2024. We invited her as today’s guest to share her inspiring journey, experiences, and the lessons she has learned along the way.
“World Boxing Cup”, hosted for the first time in Mongolia by the World Boxing Association, left spectators moved and thrilled as they witnessed our athletes win medals. You, too, triumphed in your home country, defeating some of the world’s best.
Hosting a major competition in our country meant that the audience received it with excitement and great enthusiasm. It was evident. Last year, the International Olympic Committee revoked the International Boxing Association’s membership due to unresolved issues surrounding judging corruption. Consequently, the World Boxing Association was established, and many countries have since joined. Mongolia became the first country from Asia to join this association. This led to the decision to organize a significant tournament here.
Given its significance on home ground, we participated with the utmost dedication. New and young athletes who had not yet competed internationally had the opportunity to participate in this “World Boxing Cup”. Some of them competed against top-ranked opponents in their respective weight classes, introduced themselves to the world, and began their path to success with medal wins. As for me, since I had won the tournament in Germany last year, I focused on defending my title. In the women’s 60 kg weight class, eight athletes competed. I defeated a boxer from the Philippines in the first match, and in the next, a competitor from China, advancing to the finals. In the gold medal match, I beat the Japanese athlete, becoming a two-time champion.
To defeat top contenders, it must have required tremendous speed, strength, intelligence, and skill from you.
The most challenging opponent for me was the Chinese boxer. Although we have often traveled to China for joint training sessions, I had never seen this particular athlete. Thus, we were unfamiliar to each other in terms of competing. She is characterized by her forward-pressing fighting style, designed to exhaust her opponent. To defeat her, I needed to draw on all my speed, strength, intelligence, skill, and experience. In the ring, there isn’t always time to thoroughly analyze your opponent beforehand. During the match, I used the first minute to study her. Our fight became intense in the second and third rounds, with both of us giving our all to win. After the tournament, when reviewing the footage, I heard the commentator say, “M.Namuun also appears fatigued. She’s demonstrating immense strength, endurance, and perseverance.” My goal was to defend my title in my home country, in front of the audience, and I gave it my all to achieve that.
You have spent quite some time as part of the national team. Could you share some memorable stories from your years in boxing?
It has been seven years since I joined the national team. During this time, I have participated in many national and international competitions. I first stepped into the world of boxing 11 years ago. When I was a child, my phone got stolen, and my parents suggested, “Why don’t you learn to defend yourself so that no one can bully you again?” That’s how I started boxing. I liked their idea and soon began attending training sessions. One day, our coach said, “There is an upcoming tournament called the ‘Olympic Start’ competition in honor of coach D.Bandi. Let’s participate. I can’t promise you a medal, but I want you to experience the atmosphere and the thrill.” When I told my family, they disagreed, saying, “We wanted you to learn to protect yourself, not become an athlete. You’ve only trained for 20 days, while others have been training for three years. You’ll get hurt.” Boxing matches may look exciting to the audience, but it’s tough for the parents of the athletes. I was so determined to participate that I cried. Seeing me go against their wishes for the first time, my parents eventually agreed.
Pursuing a career as an athlete is tough. You probably didn’t have an easy path either. What do you think about during your highs and lows?
Being an athlete is far from easy. There are always moments of joy and sorrow. I had two years when I didn’t achieve much and didn’t win any medals. During that time, I even hesitated to tell my parents about upcoming competitions. Instead, I would lie and say, “I’m just training.” But my family would find out through the news. My mom would then call and ask, “How are you, my dear? Are you feeling upset?” Although she tried not to show her worries, I could hear the concern in her voice. I have walked the same path as many athletes before me. Achievements never come easy. There were times when I questioned myself, “Am I doing something wrong? Is this the right path for me?” Even after thorough training and meeting my weight class, I would still lose due to some unforeseen circumstance. At those times, I wondered, “Is it time to quit? Is this the end of my journey?” Negative thoughts like that can really pull a person down. Yet, my dream of becoming an Olympic or world medalist has kept me going, bringing me back to boxing whenever I stumbled or doubted. Nowadays, I try not to burden myself with the heavy thought that I must win and achieve results. Instead, I strive to find joy in the time and effort I put into training and the daily practice of a sport I love.
Who do you talk to when you need to calm your mind?
My mom. Talking to someone who truly understands you is comforting. My boyfriend is also a great listener. He is quiet and humble, and never interrupts me. Even though he doesn’t give long pep talks, he always says, “Keep going, and give it another try.” I used to set strict goals like, “I must beat that opponent and win.” It would stress me out. For this year’s “World Boxing Cup,” my aim wasn’t necessarily to become the champion but to show the audience what I’ve learned over the years and how my coaches have prepared me. Winning or losing didn’t matter as much. I just wanted to showcase my skills without regret.
Most boxers have that one unforgettable fight. Could you share the details of a match that made a lasting impact on you?
Yes, there is one. It was during the Asian Amateur Boxing Championships in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, in 2021. I faced a Kazakhstan’s opponent whose fighting style wore me out and frustrated me. In the second round, the referee penalized her, awarding the victory to me. When it seemed certain that I would win in the deciding match, two of the three judges called it a draw, while the third judge favored my opponent. A re-evaluation from the tied judges resulted in the victory being handed to her. Despite leading the fight, the decision unexpectedly turned against me, and I lost by three and two. The regret of having the chance to become the Asian champion still lingers. There are moments in life where, no matter how hard you try, things don’t go your way, and that championship was one of those moments for me. That loss stayed with me for months, but it also fueled my determination to rise stronger. I learned from that setback and pushed myself even harder afterward.
You’ve become one of the top athletes trained under B.Purev-Ochir coach. How did his mentorship shape your boxing career?
I’m from Orkhon Province and started my journey at the “Erdenet Boxing” Club. My coach’s dedication has been instrumental in my perseverance and progress. When I first competed in a boxing tournament after persuading my parents to let me participate, I lost to an experienced Russian boxer. Yet, my coach praised me as if I had won a medal, saying, “I see talent in you. Considering you faced a top contender, you did well.” Even other coaches approached me, saying, “We watched you fight. With more effort, you’ll be able to beat any opponent.” My coach’s encouragement kept me from quitting after just one loss. In fact, he even asked my friends to lift my spirits and give me words of motivation, which I later learned was part of his strategy to keep me in boxing. His words, “Sweat more during times of peace to see less blood in times of war,” have stayed with me. He taught me everything from the basics onward, working closely with me even when I joined the national team. He trained me for the “World Boxing Cup” and brought me to the ring once again. This time, the winning coach received an award, and as an athlete, I was even happier to see my coach get that recognition than I would have been to win a medal myself.
Which countries have left the most lasting impression on you when you’ve traveled for competitions?
I prefer peaceful, sparsely populated, clean, and comfortable places. I’m particularly fond of the overcast skies and the tranquil atmosphere just before it rains. Reflecting on these preferences, European countries come to mind. I have fond memories of Warsaw in Poland and Amman in Jordan. My coach once told me, “Anyone who goes to India for a championship is bound to return at least three times,” and true to his words, I’ve visited India three times. The country is home to the legendary six-time world champion, Mary Kom. Her supporters are incredibly devoted to their female boxers. There’s even a movie in India that portrays Mary Kom’s life, capturing her successes and struggles. However, I felt the film portrayed her journey as being much easier than it actually was. Her path to greatness was far more arduous than the cinematic depiction. When I watched the movie, I couldn’t help but critique it, thinking it was oversimplified. I even had the chance to see Mary Kom in person when she came to Mongolia in 2017 to compete in the “Chinggis Khaan-Ulaanbaatar Cup”.
Which opponent gave you the most exciting match?
The most thrilling bout I’ve had was with Natalia Shadrina, a Buryat athlete from Russia who now competes under Serbia. Despite being my opponent, I’ve always admired her skill and recognized her as one of the best. When she competed in the Paris Olympics and won a silver medal in the 60 kg category, I felt a great sense of pride for her. We first faced each other in 2017 at a competition in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia. That was when I realized she had a forward-attacking style. Back then, I was determined and didn’t want to back down from anyone. Because I didn’t know much about tactical fighting, I thought, “It doesn’t matter how offensively she plays. I’ll fight back just the same.” She defeated me effortlessly, barely exerting any extra energy. It was then I realized how experienced she was, especially in capitalizing on my exhaustion and securing victory.
How do you find time to work on self-improvement?
The national team trains six days a week. Unlike regular jobs, we don’t work all day, but our daily training sessions last three hours. Because of that, it can seem like we have a lot of free time. However, planning significant self-development projects is still a challenge. With all the training sessions, joint practices, and both domestic and international competitions, it’s difficult to organize any long-term plans.
How do you feel mentally when a competition is approaching?
Lately, I’ve learned to let go of heavy thoughts and free my mind. My goal is to perform in the ring just as well as I do in training. I’ve come to understand that consulting a sports psychologist is essential for athletes. Our national boxing team works with psychologists, and while many people believe that their job is to boost athletes’ confidence and courage, I initially thought so too. But after meeting with a psychologist, I realized their role is much deeper. When I first worked with one for a competition in India last year, I learned a lot.
Ever since I was young, I’ve always taken my responsibilities seriously. My teachers, classmates, friends, and loved ones have always believed in me, often saying, “M.Namuun can do it, she knows how, she will succeed.” I used to feel a strong sense of duty to meet those expectations. When I first spoke with a psychologist, I approached it with that same mindset. At the time, B.Zolzaya asked me, “What is your main goal?” and I replied, “I have to make it to the finals of the World Championships. That’s my ultimate objective.”
Before the “World Boxing Cup” in Mongolia, she asked me again, and I said, “It doesn’t matter how many fights I win or lose. I just want to step into the ring and perform in a way I won’t regret.” She nodded and said, “You’ve changed.” There comes a time in everyone’s life when they need to understand themselves, to look inward and reflect. After facing ups and downs, I realized it was time for me to truly know myself.
