Official agreements are being made in regards with Judoka G.Otgontsetseg who is to represent Kazakhstan during the next Olympics.
During the talks Bolat Khavlakhat, Vice President of Kazakhstan Judo Federation and Deputy Director of Teams under Ministry of Sports and Culture, visited Mongolia.
We had a chance to interview him during his stay in Mongolia as he was in charge of the Team Mongolia during 1985-1992.
This is the first in Mongolian Sports history that Mongolian national to officially compete in the name of the other country. Since when the talks have started?
Mongolian Judokas have raised the bars at the international level. In this regard, we came to Mongolia for talks on athletes and coaches exchange program possibilities. This is not just the matter of sigining the agreement, we are provisioning more on multilaterlal cooperation. What is Important here are the interests of the athletes.
G.Otgontsetseg ranks 9th at international level with 1,258 points. Was is the main reason to target her at the 48kg category?
Although G,Otgontsetseg ranks high at international level, she is the second best in Mongolia. Another important factor is her age. She is young and this gives her instant possibilities to participate in several Olympics. It also will depend on her trainings in Kazakhstan and her improvement of skills as well, sure enough Mongolian Judo Federation will monitor the process.
First agreements and permits were granted by Mongolian National Olympic Commitee and Mongolian Judo Federation. Next steps will be permits from International Olympic Committee and International Judo Federation.
We are making the agreements in steps. Due to this G.Otgontsetseg might skip 2-3 competitions.
Perhaps, this was the reason she skipped National Championship 2015?
Yes.
When is she heading to Kazakhstan? Mongolian Judo Federation offered her staying in Mongolia and proceed with her tranings.
Yes. They have advised that for her performance it should be better to continue her trainings in Mongolia, being close to her family and friends. We are to pay attention on joint training sessions. G.Otgontsetseg was allowed to take her personal coach with her and in this regard we are offering her coach contract as well.
Who did she choose as her coach?
D. Enkhbaatar was the one behind her success, so she chose him and we have offered contract and made agreements.
Perhaps G.Otgontsetseg is to participate in every competition to qualify for the Olympics. Is the Kazakhstan team ready to support her financially?
Yes, indeed. She is to compete at every qualification competitions and we are happy to provide with every opportunity. We are ready to provide her with joint trainings in Japan or China, wherever she chooses to.
Will she leave for Kazakhstan in 2016?
Perhaps, she will be visiting a lot. She needs to do trainings with fellow Kazakh coaches and athletes as well. This way she will contribute to the Team Kazakhstan.
Are there any other legionairs at Kazakh team except G.Otgontsetseg?
Not yet. She is first one. We initially planned to recruit from Mongolia.
Male team of Kazakhstan has strong athletes. But at female 48kg, 52kg and 57kg categories Kazakh athletes rank below 47. Are there any plans to recruit more legionaires? We will see until the Olympics. But honestly, our female athletes are not that strong. We deliberately came during the Mongolian National Judo Championships this year to see for more possibilities of recruiting more legionaires.
Again from Mongolia?
We are already making progress with Mongolia side, so it will be easiers for us to do so.
Mongolia and Kazakhstan both do not allow the dual citizenship. Therefore, G.Otgontsetseg is required to change her citizenship?
Yes. She needs to become citizen of Kazakhstan. We have received all the necessary documents and apporvals from the Sports Federations.
Kazakhstan recruited many legionaires in other sports as well, such as Zulifiya Chinshanlo, World Weight Lifting Champion and Maya Meneza, two times World Champion. They all became citizens of Kazakhstan.
We have recriuted Chinese Weight Lifters and the results are stunning. Skills of our Kazakh athletes improved greatly. At Wrestling we have also recruited athletes from Russian Federation and the results are impressive as well. Every country recruits legionaires, but as far as I know Mongolia does not have any yet. Russia did enormous job on recruiting legionaires and expanded their possibilities of winning medals from Olympics. The latest example is Victor An.
Can you give insights on how Kazakh team is preparing for the 2916 Olympics?
During the Incheon Asian Games we had a chance to review our ranking and skills. Kazakhstan places 4th with 28 Gold Medals. Government is also paying extra attention for the upcoming Olympics and we are aiming at earning more Gold medals and break the record of 8 Gold medals from London Olympics.
Lately Kazakhstan hosted number of International and Regional Sports competition events and are gaining experience in that. Perhaps it is the result of Government efforts?
Our President supports sports a lot and he is good at horse racing, tennis and skiing. By hosting number of sports events we have proved to International Olympics Committee that we are reliable partner.
Let's talk about your work during 1980s with Mongolian athletes.
After graduating Moscow Sports Univesity in 1981 I worked as gymnastics coach until 1984. Afterwards during 1985-1992 I worked as Deputy Director of the Team Mongolia. During that time I had honor to work with boxers B.Batbayar, Altankhuyag, Damdinsharav, Nasantogtokh and Enkhbayar. During that time first Team Mongolia had 160 athletes and the second team had student athletes.
You have been appointed to the Deputy Director in charge of the team Mongolia athletes at the very young age after graduation. Have you felt any pressure or were you encouraged to do more?
At that time state monitored the students studying abroad. And they had focused on me based on the merits. Sports Committee Head Dashdovdon appointed me to the post and shared his experiences with me. At that time i was only 27, but I managed to have friendly relations with almost every coach. I have constant connection with my fellow Mongolian athletes and coaches nowadays. Many would come and meet during the international competitions. I always remember them being athletes, but now they are already at the age 50 and I am now 60. I have warm memories.
Do you visit here constantly?
I have spent my good years in Mongolia. I was born and raised here and managed to lead the Mongolian athletes. I visit occasionally to meet my friends. Even though I am now citizen of Kazakhstan, Mongolia is my motherland and I have close ties with Mongolia.
How many athletes does Team Kazakhstan have and preparing for the competitions? There are over 3000 athletes as Team Kazakhstan involves athletes participating in both summer and winter Olympics and other Sports as well. There are 46 General Coaches working for Team Kazakhstan and there are over 400 sports schools operating. I don't know details of Mongolian government supports the sports movement, but I have a feeling that Sports Federations are doing more work rather than the government.
Official agreements are being made in regards with Judoka G.Otgontsetseg who is to represent Kazakhstan during the next Olympics.
During the talks Bolat Khavlakhat, Vice President of Kazakhstan Judo Federation and Deputy Director of Teams under Ministry of Sports and Culture, visited Mongolia.
We had a chance to interview him during his stay in Mongolia as he was in charge of the Team Mongolia during 1985-1992.
This is the first in Mongolian Sports history that Mongolian national to officially compete in the name of the other country. Since when the talks have started?
Mongolian Judokas have raised the bars at the international level. In this regard, we came to Mongolia for talks on athletes and coaches exchange program possibilities. This is not just the matter of sigining the agreement, we are provisioning more on multilaterlal cooperation. What is Important here are the interests of the athletes.
G.Otgontsetseg ranks 9th at international level with 1,258 points. Was is the main reason to target her at the 48kg category?
Although G,Otgontsetseg ranks high at international level, she is the second best in Mongolia. Another important factor is her age. She is young and this gives her instant possibilities to participate in several Olympics. It also will depend on her trainings in Kazakhstan and her improvement of skills as well, sure enough Mongolian Judo Federation will monitor the process.
First agreements and permits were granted by Mongolian National Olympic Commitee and Mongolian Judo Federation. Next steps will be permits from International Olympic Committee and International Judo Federation.
We are making the agreements in steps. Due to this G.Otgontsetseg might skip 2-3 competitions.
Perhaps, this was the reason she skipped National Championship 2015?
Yes.
When is she heading to Kazakhstan? Mongolian Judo Federation offered her staying in Mongolia and proceed with her tranings.
Yes. They have advised that for her performance it should be better to continue her trainings in Mongolia, being close to her family and friends. We are to pay attention on joint training sessions. G.Otgontsetseg was allowed to take her personal coach with her and in this regard we are offering her coach contract as well.
Who did she choose as her coach?
D. Enkhbaatar was the one behind her success, so she chose him and we have offered contract and made agreements.
Perhaps G.Otgontsetseg is to participate in every competition to qualify for the Olympics. Is the Kazakhstan team ready to support her financially?
Yes, indeed. She is to compete at every qualification competitions and we are happy to provide with every opportunity. We are ready to provide her with joint trainings in Japan or China, wherever she chooses to.
Will she leave for Kazakhstan in 2016?
Perhaps, she will be visiting a lot. She needs to do trainings with fellow Kazakh coaches and athletes as well. This way she will contribute to the Team Kazakhstan.
Are there any other legionairs at Kazakh team except G.Otgontsetseg?
Not yet. She is first one. We initially planned to recruit from Mongolia.
Male team of Kazakhstan has strong athletes. But at female 48kg, 52kg and 57kg categories Kazakh athletes rank below 47. Are there any plans to recruit more legionaires? We will see until the Olympics. But honestly, our female athletes are not that strong. We deliberately came during the Mongolian National Judo Championships this year to see for more possibilities of recruiting more legionaires.
Again from Mongolia?
We are already making progress with Mongolia side, so it will be easiers for us to do so.
Mongolia and Kazakhstan both do not allow the dual citizenship. Therefore, G.Otgontsetseg is required to change her citizenship?
Yes. She needs to become citizen of Kazakhstan. We have received all the necessary documents and apporvals from the Sports Federations.
Kazakhstan recruited many legionaires in other sports as well, such as Zulifiya Chinshanlo, World Weight Lifting Champion and Maya Meneza, two times World Champion. They all became citizens of Kazakhstan.
We have recriuted Chinese Weight Lifters and the results are stunning. Skills of our Kazakh athletes improved greatly. At Wrestling we have also recruited athletes from Russian Federation and the results are impressive as well. Every country recruits legionaires, but as far as I know Mongolia does not have any yet. Russia did enormous job on recruiting legionaires and expanded their possibilities of winning medals from Olympics. The latest example is Victor An.
Can you give insights on how Kazakh team is preparing for the 2916 Olympics?
During the Incheon Asian Games we had a chance to review our ranking and skills. Kazakhstan places 4th with 28 Gold Medals. Government is also paying extra attention for the upcoming Olympics and we are aiming at earning more Gold medals and break the record of 8 Gold medals from London Olympics.
Lately Kazakhstan hosted number of International and Regional Sports competition events and are gaining experience in that. Perhaps it is the result of Government efforts?
Our President supports sports a lot and he is good at horse racing, tennis and skiing. By hosting number of sports events we have proved to International Olympics Committee that we are reliable partner.
Let's talk about your work during 1980s with Mongolian athletes.
After graduating Moscow Sports Univesity in 1981 I worked as gymnastics coach until 1984. Afterwards during 1985-1992 I worked as Deputy Director of the Team Mongolia. During that time I had honor to work with boxers B.Batbayar, Altankhuyag, Damdinsharav, Nasantogtokh and Enkhbayar. During that time first Team Mongolia had 160 athletes and the second team had student athletes.
You have been appointed to the Deputy Director in charge of the team Mongolia athletes at the very young age after graduation. Have you felt any pressure or were you encouraged to do more?
At that time state monitored the students studying abroad. And they had focused on me based on the merits. Sports Committee Head Dashdovdon appointed me to the post and shared his experiences with me. At that time i was only 27, but I managed to have friendly relations with almost every coach. I have constant connection with my fellow Mongolian athletes and coaches nowadays. Many would come and meet during the international competitions. I always remember them being athletes, but now they are already at the age 50 and I am now 60. I have warm memories.
Do you visit here constantly?
I have spent my good years in Mongolia. I was born and raised here and managed to lead the Mongolian athletes. I visit occasionally to meet my friends. Even though I am now citizen of Kazakhstan, Mongolia is my motherland and I have close ties with Mongolia.
How many athletes does Team Kazakhstan have and preparing for the competitions? There are over 3000 athletes as Team Kazakhstan involves athletes participating in both summer and winter Olympics and other Sports as well. There are 46 General Coaches working for Team Kazakhstan and there are over 400 sports schools operating. I don't know details of Mongolian government supports the sports movement, but I have a feeling that Sports Federations are doing more work rather than the government.