International Master of Sports D.Enkhtuvshin, a member of the national gymnastics team, has become the first Mongolian athlete to win a medal at the 2024 Artistic Gymnastics FIG World Cup, held in Szombathely, Hungary. After 14 years of dedicated training, he has crossed borders and achieved significant success. For instance, at the BRICS 2024 Sports Games, international competition held in Kazan, Russia, last June, he won bronze medals in the pommel horse and rings events. He currently ranks high in the world, being ranked third in the floor exercise, second in the vaulting, and 16th in the pommel horse. We had the chance to discuss his remarkable journey and achievements. Please enjoy! 

 

You returned from the final series of the FIG World Cup in Hungary with a bronze medal, bringing joy to the gymnastics community. Can you share what goals you set for yourself before heading to Szombathely?

 

This was my second time competing in Hungary for the World Cup. This time, it felt like being in my own country. When I first arrived last year, everything—from the city’s development, the respectful culture of its people, to the environment, climate, and weather—left a great impression on me. I was particularly excited when I entered the training hall and saw the other athletes already there to greet me. Previously, when I placed in fourth place, I promised myself, “I will improve my skills and experience to return with a medal next year.” I fulfilled that goal and am very pleased to come back with a bronze medal.

After winning the medal at the World Cup, I was the first to share the good news with my mother. Before this, I had reached the finals in the floor exercise at competitions in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Slovenia, but I would end up missing out on medals. Since February, I have pushed myself in four series of competitions and worked very hard. I felt a strong possibility of winning a medal at the Asian Gymnastics Championships in the spring. Even though I didn’t receive a prize then, I set a big goal for myself: to never return empty-handed.

 

I understand that you have trained under coach D.Oyuntuya for several years. Do you believe her efforts have significantly influenced your progress to this level?

 

I have been training under her guidance for 14 years. In 2017, I won silver medals in the vaulting category and floor exercise at an international competition in Russia. That was my first significant achievement, which motivated me and has influenced my progress to this day. I started this sport by a strange coincidence. While studying at School No. 57 in Chingeltei District, there was a competition for aerobic gymnastics among general education schools. One of my teachers took me to meet the D.Oyuntuya coach and said, “This child is very energetic; he is suitable for gymnastics.” As I reached my teenage years, I found it difficult to continue training and considered quitting. 

However, the medals I won at competitions gave me the energy to return to the gym. Whenever I began to falter, my coach would notice and encourage me, saying, “Do you know how much strength you have? You can overcome everything.” Her emotional support and advice have greatly influenced my confidence and progress day by day.

 

How do you feel when you miss out on a medal and drop down in ranking in a competition?  

 

It feels disheartening to fall back to third and fourth places. In this World Cup, I stood in sixth place among the eight athletes who made it to the finals. For some reason, I felt a strong urge to win a medal at that moment. Since this was the final competition of the series, my goal of winning a medal felt more significant than anything else. The person who always supports us is my coach. Before I went out to perform, she said, “Do well. I wish you success.” Although the athletes from Slovenia and Taiwan scored higher than me, they made mistakes during their performances and fell. The athletes from Kazakhstan and Bulgaria took the first two places, making it clear that I would win a bronze medal, so I felt excited and shared my joy first with my coach. Assan Salimov from Kazakhstan is my peer. He is a strong competitor in the jumping category. He showcased his years of training by winning this time as well. We have known each other for a long time. When we meet during competitions, we greet each other and wish each other success. For me, I am the first athlete from Mongolia to win a medal at the World Cup in the adult category. The bronze medal I earned in Hungary is very precious to me.

 

Each sport has its own characteristics. Asian athletes excel in artistic gymnastics. What advantages do they have when competing against Europeans?  

 

Athletes from China and Japan showcase their technical superiority among Asian countries. In artistic gymnastics, being shorter and lighter increases the chances of success. Europeans tend to be taller, stronger, and more muscular. American and Russian gymnasts are skilled. Their success demonstrates how well their countries have developed gymnastics. Athletes enjoy seeing new things from their competitors. Among the gymnasts I competed with, I found the routines of the Canadian and Swedish athletes particularly interesting. I especially liked the new element that the Canadian gymnast performed.

 

Have there been any recent changes to the rules and judging system in artistic gymnastics?  

 

There have been changes and updates to the rules. Starting next year, they will come into effect. Athletes will compete under the new rules in upcoming competitions and will earn points to qualify for the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. Previously, 10 elements were performed on the pommel horse, but under the new rules, only eight will be executed. Some routines and performances have become more precise than before. This means that athletes will need to demonstrate greater skill, strength, and speed. We will also train according to the updated rules. The first series of the World Cup will take place in Varna, Bulgaria from May 8-11 next year, and the second will be in Koper, Slovenia from May 15-18. For me, it will be my second time in Bulgaria and third time in Slovenia.

 

Sometimes, doesn’t the life of an athlete feel tough?

 

Being an athlete can indeed be difficult. My days are spent going back and forth between home, school, and training. After classes, I rush to the gym to train for hours, only seeing home in the evenings. I used to feel a bit envious of my peers who could play freely and enjoy their hobbies. However, as I grew older, I realized that the training I do now will benefit my future. After many years of consistent practice, it becomes a habit. 

Eventually, if I miss training, it feels like something is lacking. I study coaching at the National Institute of Physical Education and will graduate next year. As competitions approach, the training intensity increases. Therefore, I carefully plan my tasks and schedule. My family has supported me since I first started. They are now my loyal fans and a reliable support system.

 

Athletes tend to have fewer friends because they are so busy with training and competitions, right?

 

That can be true. I enjoy making friends with other athletes in my age group and take pride in their personalities and strengths. We support each other during training and competitions, offering encouragement and motivation. At a competition held in Germany, I performed poorly on my first apparatus and was feeling down when E.Usukhbayar said, “It’s okay, my friend. Make sure to do well on your next apparatus. Good luck!” That lifted my spirits. I admire his fighting spirit and bravery. In contrast, B.Battur has a gentle nature. B.Boldbaatar started training in artistic gymnastics at the age of 12 after previously training on the horizontal bar. He doesn’t seem to fear falling or getting hurt during practice, which instills confidence in his teammates.

 

It seems like you haven’t spent much time at home, going from competition to competition.

 

Since February, I haven’t had much time to relax at home. I’ve been participating in various competitions and gaining valuable experience. Time has elapsed quickly. Starting next year, I will compete in the all-around with six apparatuses. I also plan to participate in the World Cups and aim to qualify for the Olympics. For a while, I was inspired by the technical strengths of Japan’s famous athlete Kohei Uchimura. Recently, I’ve been watching and studying competition videos of the Russian athlete Nikita Nagornyy. My immediate goal is to win a medal at next year’s Asian Championships, and my long-term goal is to compete in the LA 2028 Summer Olympics.

 

It seems that Asian athletes have been excelling in artistic gymnastics at the Paris Olympics. You must have been interested in it.

 

Personally, I support the Japanese team. Among Asian athletes, gymnasts from China and Japan usually take the top spots in the all-around. At the Paris Olympic artistic gymnastics competition, Japan’s Oka Shinnosuke won the gold medal in the individual event (all-around with six apparatuses). He won in the junior category at the Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2018. The gymnast from our neighboring country, Zhang Boheng, won the silver medal competing against him. Daiki Hashimoto, who won the individual event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, did not shine as expected in Paris. He made mistakes and placed lower, which reflected his poor preparation leading up to the competition.

 

Which athlete’s skills do you take pride in?  

 

One of the athletes I admire is Japan’s double Olympic champion Kohei Uchimura. He is referred to as the king of gymnastics. He won gold medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. Now that he has retired and is working as a coach, his students have been competing strongly in continental and world competitions recently. Additionally, China’s Zhang Boheng won gold at the 2021 World Championships and silver the following year. That same year, he returned home with two golds from the FISU World University Games and three gold medals from the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. I predict that at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics, gymnasts from our neighboring country will excel in both individual and team events.

 

You mentioned earlier that you plan to participate in the World Championships and aim to qualify for the Olympics. The 34th Olympic Games will be held in the USA. It may seem distant now, but time passes quickly, right?  

 

Before we know it, the Olympics will be right around the corner. Therefore, I need to work hard and focus on my training now, or I might fall behind. Points for the Olympics will start being awarded at the World Cup series competition held in Hungary next year. Gymnasts qualify for the Olympics through the World Championships. A winner of any of the four events in the World Cup series receives 30 points, a silver medalist gets 25, and a bronze medalist earns 20 points. If you rank first in three events of this series, you can qualify. For the World Championships, finishing in the top 24 earns you Olympic qualification.

 

I believe you’ve competed in the World Championships. You likely qualified by participating in the Asian Championships, right?  

 

I started competing in the World Championships last year. At the Asian Championships held in Singapore, E.Usukhbayar competed in the all-around with six apparatuses, while I qualified in the floor exercise. One athlete did not show up for the World Championships in Belgium, which gave me the opportunity to compete. At the Paris Olympics, Taiwan’s Chang Chia-Hung won the bronze in the gymnastics floor exercise. An Irish athlete won gold in the pommel horse event at the World Championships in 2021 and became the first to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

 

Which of the six apparatus events do you perform best in?  

 

Personally, I enjoy the vaulting, pommel horse, and parallel bars. Among our athletes, E.Usukhbayar excels in the floor exercise, while I perform the vault very cleanly. I’ve trained diligently for many years to win a medal in the World Cup series. When my name was announced on the podium, I really didn’t believe it at first. Before I knew it, I was standing there with my medal. I was thrilled and felt very fortunate when the Hungarian athlete who won the pommel horse event at the London 2012 Olympics presented me with a bronze medal. At that moment, I felt proud of both my coach and myself, thinking, “I did it”. 

 

How has the sports environment shaped you as a person?  

 

I am the youngest in my family, with one older sister. My sister is a teacher. My father is from the Chuluut soum of Arkhangai Province and is a forestry specialist. My mother is from Ulaanbaatar and works in the service industry. Growing up in a supportive family, gymnastics has changed me in many ways, teaching me resilience, patience, and discipline. Being an athlete has made me more open and able to communicate well with others. Now, I can handle both constructive criticism and praise equally well.

 

Athletes who step onto the national team often gain opportunities to compete internationally. Did you feel that your responsibilities and commitments increased?  

 

In 2020, I became a member of the national team and received the title of International Master of Sports two years later. When I joined the national team, my coach said, “The weight of responsibility on your shoulders has increased. Work hard!” and encouraged me.