SPORTS NEWS

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ International master of sports, long-distance runner Ts.Byambajav has been qualified to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games. He got the right by taking 10th place in the Xiamen International Marathon which took place on January 7 in Xiamen, China. It is one of the biggest marathons with the Gold Label of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). He has finished the way in two hours, 22 minutes and 36 seconds, following runners from Kenya, Morocco and Ethiopia. Apart of him, Mongolia was represented by B.Dorjpalam and L.Otgonbayar. ** ** ** Boxers of the state selected team have left for the “Olympics” sports base located in Khangal soum, Bulgan aimag. They will have intensive training so that to compete in European serial tournaments before the Olympic qualification competitions which will run on March 30 in Astana, Kazakhstan. This is the last chance for Asian boxers to be qualified for the Olympics. According to Mongolia's Olympic Boxing Federation (MOBF), the training group comprises E.Badar-Uugan, P.Serdamba, N.Togstsogt, U.Monkh-Erdene and others. P.Serdamba and U.Monkh-Erdene (64 kg) will not compete in the European serial tournaments and the qualification competitions, they have already got the rights. ** ** ** Mongolian judoists have been invited to compete in the World Masters-2012 tournament to take place on January 14-15 in Almaty city, Kazakhstan. The competitions usually bring together the world top judoists ranked the first 16 by the International Judo Federation (IJF). Our team comprises D.Tomorkhuleg, Ch.Boldbaatar (men's 60 kg), Kh.Tsagaanbaatar, S.Miaragchaa (66 kg), S.Nyam-Ochir (73 kg), N.Tuvshinbayar, B.Temuulen (-100 kg), M.Urantsetseg (women's 48 kg), M.Bundmaa (52 kg), Ts.Monkhzaya (63 kg) and P.Lhamdegd (-78 kg). The winner will receive 400 points for Olympic qualification, the runner-up--240 points, the bronze medalist--160 points and the 5th place holder--80 points. ** ** ** The Rio Tinto Group, a "Golden Partner" of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MonNOC), has announced international masters of sports P.Lhamdegd (judo) and G.Mandakhnaran (free-style wrestling) as its ambassador athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games. They will be sponsored by the Rio Tinto Group. B.Khuder