Ulaanbaatar
Mongolian Olympic Committee Honors Sporting Excellence
Sports
Ulaanbaatar, November 20, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC) held its prestigious “Golden Star” award ceremony, recognizing individuals and teams for their outstanding contributions to the development of sport and the promotion of Olympic values in Mongolia.
The awards, MNOC’s highest distinction, were conferred following a resolution by the Executive Board to honor athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who have significantly advanced physical education, elite sport, and the Olympic movement nationwide. The medals were presented by Battushig Batbold, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member and President of the MNOC.
Among the honorees was Otganbaatar Chultem, a pioneering figure in Mongolian sports journalism. With over three decades of experience, he has covered 12 Olympic Games and 13 Asian Games, and represented Mongolia at 21 global sports journalism congresses. As a former president of the Mongolian Sports Journalists Association, Otgonbaatar has played a pivotal role in elevating the profession and promoting Olympic values through the media. His ongoing efforts to develop modern pentathlon further reflect his commitment to diversifying Mongolia’s sporting landscape.
Kherlen Bazarsuren, an international volleyball master and head coach of both the national women’s team and the “Darkhan Moguls” major league club, was also recognised for her leadership and long-standing contributions to volleyball development in Mongolia. Raised in a sports-oriented family, Kherlen was inspired by her mother’s athletic career, and went on to earn numerous accolades, including Mongolia's silver medal, secured with a landmark victory over China at the 2000 East Asian Championship. As a coach, Kherlen, supported by Korean coach Chon Yung-ha – mentored a new generation of athletes, many now leading Mongolian volleyball.
The ceremony also celebrated the historic achievement of the Mongolian women’s national 3x3 basketball team, who claimed the silver medal at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup held in Ulaanbaatar in June 2025. Team members Khulan Onolbaatar, Solongo Bayasgalan, Munkhsaikhan Tserenlkham, and Enkhjin Tuvshinjargal were honored for their exceptional performance and contribution to national sporting pride, marking Mongolia’s first-ever medal in a world championship endorsed by FIBA.
