Mongolian table tennis International Judge and Deputy Master of Sports Kh.Damdinbayar has long been recognized for his contributions to the sport, officiating at both international and continental competitions. Over the years, he has had the honor of judging some of the most prestigious matches, featuring top athletes from Asia and Europe. Among the numerous high-profile events he has been part of, the 2023 Asian Table Tennis Championship held in Astana, Kazakhstan, was particularly notable. The championship attracted significant attention from countries worldwide, showcasing the very best of table tennis talent. We had the opportunity to speak with him about his experience at the event and his insights on the competition.
The fact that China’s top players returned home without a medal from this year’s Asian Championships garnered international attention. Given their long-standing dominance in the table tennis scene, what does this absence of a medal imply about the current evolution of the sport?
Over 40 international referees officiated the matches at the Asian Table Tennis Championships held last month in Astana, Kazakhstan, where athletes from 24 countries competed. Mongolian athletes have shown remarkable improvement compared to the players of the 1980 to 2000 generation. However, while Mongolia’s table tennis level has advanced, other countries have also significantly developed their playing techniques, raising the overall standard of competition.
Asian countries continue to produce the world’s best table tennis players. In my view, there has been a profound shift in how matches are judged, with a noticeable evolution in the sport over the years. Reflecting on past decades, I remember how, in the 1980s and early 1990s, Sweden triumphed over their southern neighbors in three World Cups. Since that time, however, China has returned with gold medals in seven World Cup events, establishing themselves as formidable contenders on the global stage. After the Paris Olympics, we witnessed some exciting and surprising matches where these countries defeated their rivals in continental competitions, much to the astonishment of the international table tennis community. At the 2023 Asian Championships, China’s male athletes claimed both the team and individual titles. However, in an unusual outcome, China’s women’s team did not win any medals, which was a significant and unexpected result. Another remarkable moment was the performance of Iran’s 14-year-old player, Benjamin Faraji, who made headlines by defeating China’s world number one, Wang Chuqing, a stunning achievement that captured the attention of the global table tennis community.
From Asia, India has been steadily gaining momentum in recent years. At the championship, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams secured bronze medals, proving themselves to be tough competitors. It was clear that India has invested significantly in supporting their athletes, including inviting an experienced German coach to guide their training and enhance their technical development. Additionally, the Japanese women’s national team delivered outstanding performances, winning both the individual and team events, further solidifying Japan’s place among the leading powers in table tennis.
Is it likely that China will be unable to defend their championship unless they make significant changes to their playing style and technique?
At the Paris Olympics, North Koreaи women’s players earned a silver medal in mixed doubles and also finished as runners-up in the continental tournament, defeating Chinese athletes in singles matches. Meanwhile, China’s top-ranked female player failed to qualify for the team finals and withdrew from further events, citing exhaustion after competing in the China Smash international tournament the week before the Asian Championship. In the World Cup series in Germany, Chinese players were defeated by French and Swedish athletes, signaling increasing competition from other countries. After the Paris Olympics, China formed a new team, strengthening it with young talent. However, if they don’t adapt their methods and techniques, it remains uncertain whether they can maintain their leadership in the sport.
This serves as a reminder that the skills of other players have improved and are now on par with those of China. Many countries have speculated that the new Chinese national team may not maintain its dominance for long in the absence of Fan Zhendong and Ma Long. Is this accurate?
The International Tennis Federation recently reported that Fang Zhengdong, who witnessed his athletes’ defeats in the continental tournament, has just begun a new phase of training. There had been speculation that he would retire after the Paris Olympics, but this recent performance at the Asian Cup may have served as a wake-up call, leading Fang to reconsider his decision. It’s now possible that he could return to competitive play, with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics potentially on his radar. The continental competition held in Kazakhstan was organized at an exceptionally high level, and the country’s athletes impressed by reaching the final eight. An interesting highlight was the attendance of Kazakhstan’s president at the closing game, who, it was noted, had played table tennis in his youth, adding a personal touch to the event.
If the Mongolian team doesn’t put in the necessary effort moving forward, it will be difficult to qualify for the Asian Team Championship, as well as the Continental, World and Olympic Games, correct?
Mongolia’s national table tennis team has shown that they are not inferior to foreign athletes in terms of speed and skill. However, one area where improvements can be made is in tactical decision-making during matches. Unlike their international counterparts, who often compete with large teams and expert tacticians, Mongolian athletes sometimes face challenges in adapting their strategies in real-time. Before a match, it’s crucial for athletes to thoroughly study their opponent’s style of play and carefully calculate how to approach the game. This preparation, including in-depth research into the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, can significantly impact the outcome of the match. Ideally, both coaches and athletes should approach any competition with a well-researched plan in hand.
While Mongolia may not always compete against the world’s top teams, it is essential to study the methods, techniques and tactics of countries that have developed strong table tennis programs. By learning from these nations, Mongolia can continue to grow and refine its own approach to the sport, enhancing their chances for success on the international stage.
You must have interacted with foreign judges who officiated at this international competition. How closely have you worked with them?
In 2018, I became an international judge, and since then, I have had the privilege of officiating at major events, including the Asian Championship in Orebro, Sweden in 2020, a tournament in Germany last year, and most recently, the Asian Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan. In September of last year, the table tennis rules were updated, with some provisions changing based on factors such as ball advantage and the process during the middle of the game. These updates reflect the sport’s ongoing evolution, and as an international referee, it’s essential to stay informed and adapt to these changes.
I maintain regular contact with foreign judges, exchanging information and insights. In today’s rapidly evolving sport, it is vital for international referees to continually research and learn from each other to stay aligned with the latest developments. At the Asian Championship in Astana, I had the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues I have worked with in previous international competitions. One notable encounter was with an Iranian female judge, who had officiated at two international tournaments held in Mongolia and served as the chief judge at this Asian Championship. Additionally, I met with judges from South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Japan before the tournament, where we shared valuable opinions and perspectives.
International table tennis referees are rated, and I heard that you traveled to Astana, Kazakhstan, prior to the Asian Championships to take the rating test. How was that experience?
Most Mongolian judges hold a white belt, and alongside officiating at the Asian Championship in Kazakhstan, I had planned to take the blue belt exam. However, I had to postpone it for a year to focus on improving my language skills. In preparation for the exam, I enrolled in online courses and studied, but I was unable to pass the test due to challenges with understanding the questions in English. While I managed to pass the grammar portion, the key difficulty was in comprehending the test questions in English, which led to the postponement of my exam. Aside from this, there is generally no significant language barrier when it comes to participating in the competition process or communicating with fellow referees. However, the ability to understand English is crucial for written exams, which is why I am currently researching language centers to improve my English skills.
Passing the blue belt exam is a significant milestone in a refereeпs career, as it grants the right to officiate at prestigious events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games. The responsibilities of international referees increase as their regional ranking improves. For example, a referee who successfully passes the yellow belt exam not only gets to officiate at World Cup and Olympic events but may also serve as a chief judge.
During the continental tournament in Kazakhstan, in addition to myself, international judges from China and Moldova also attended to take the exam. Among them, a judge from the southern neighbor passed the exam. At just 25 years old, he was the youngest international referee officiating at the Asian Cup.
When studying international referees, it’s clear that many have dedicated their careers, jobs and lives to the sports environment. Did you also begin your journey as a referee after playing table tennis?
Yes, I have been playing table tennis since 1986. In the late 1990s, I spent some time working and living abroad, which took me away from the sport for a while. However, after several years, I returned to table tennis, and since then, I have continued to participate in senior competitions. Alongside my playing, I also work as an international judge, officiating at both major domestic and international tournaments. Last fall, three friends and I - who are all passionate about table tennis - formed a team called DGB, based on our initials, to compete in the Senior National Amateur Championship held in Dornod Province. In the championship match, we dominated our opponents with a 3-0 victory and secured first place. It was a great achievement for us and a testament to the skills we’ve developed over the years.
An athlete’s success, career and fate often depend heavily on the judgment of the referee. Do you think that being an international referee is more challenging than being an athlete?
Table tennis in Mongolia has had national and international judges since 2010. Before that, players were often employed as referees in domestic tournaments. For me, becoming a judge is deeply personal and tied to a pivotal moment in my life. In 1996, my younger brother participated in a table tennis tournament in Orkhon Province, where he was denied a medal in the championship match due to a wrong decision by the referee. The referee insisted that the judgment was correct, and as a result, the game was halted, and my brother missed out on the opportunity. Watching this unfold had a profound impact on me. It made me realize how crucial it is for matches to be judged fairly, truthfully and correctly according to the rules. Athletes’ careers, success and futures often hinge on the decisions of referees. From that moment on, I understood that being a referee is not just about making decisions on the spot; it is about the responsibility to uphold the integrity of the game and ensure fairness. At that time, many of our athletes were not even aware of basic competition rules, such as how long they were allowed to take a break during a match. I believe that if my brother had known and taken that break, he could have become the champion.
Recently, I also watched a wrestling match and was struck by a similar injustice. When a Mongolian athlete won by lifting a foreign wrestler, the referee awarded the victory to the other side. If judges do not weigh these matches correctly, it not only impacts the athletes’ success but can also discourage them from continuing in the sport. In table tennis, however, the matches are played openly in front of the audience, making it nearly impossible for refereeing to be tainted by fraud. The transparency of the sport is one of its strengths, and as referees, we must uphold the trust of the players and spectators by making fair and accurate decisions at all times.
It is rare to find a country without international referees these days. The referees and coaches from that country often serve as the backbone of their athletes during competitions, right?
When our athletes participated in the Asian Championship, they were initially nervous seeing three of their own judges, but they managed to play calmly without feeling overly pressured. However, we were tasked with judging matches involving athletes from other countries. I officiated in both the women’s singles and mixed doubles events. One of the most interesting performances came from Indian athlete Manika Batra. She impressed everyone by winning against North Korea in mixed doubles and also defeating a player from her home country in singles. With her tall frame and long arms, there seemed to be no ball she couldn’t reach. What stood out was her unique technique - she used a racket with a rubbery back, which helped weaken her opponent’s attacks and allowed her to control the ball more effectively. I admired her ability to bring the ball to herself and play with such a distinctive approach. Currently ranked 64th among the best players in the world, Batra’s performance at the Asian Championship showcased both her skill and tactical mastery, making her a standout athlete in the tournament.
The playing style and technique of Asian and European athletes participating in international table tennis tournaments are quite distinct. Referees are likely more aware of these differences than the spectators.
Recently, both Asian and European athletes have been focusing on playing with a strategy that emphasizes shortening the ball advantage and attacking quickly, aiming to control the game by bringing the ball to themselves. The key to success is speed - whoever can compete and attack the fastest tends to win the point. Among the European athletes, the performance of the French siblings who competed in the Paris Olympics stood out. One of them plays with an Asian style, capable of playing both defensive and attacking shots, while the other employs a more traditional European technique. On the Asian side, athletes from Japan, India and Iran are hoping that the Asian Championship will disrupt the dominance of the top Chinese players. As a result, these countries are intensifying their preparations to challenge China’s long-standing supremacy in the sport.
Do your children play table tennis?
Our children are active in basketball and volleyball, and I’m grateful for the support and understanding of my family, which has allowed me to continue pursuing my passion for table tennis. With their encouragement, I have been able to not only play the sport but also referee both domestic and international competitions. Their support plays a crucial role in enabling me to balance my involvement in table tennis with my family life, and I am truly appreciative of their understanding as I continue to pursue both playing and officiating in this sport.
