Mountain sports have gained significant popularity in rural Mongolia, especially in the western provinces’ high mountainous regions. N.Luvsansharav, an international master of sports from Ulaangom soum of Uvs Province, began his athletic journey in 2016, winning a summit race that inspired him to pursue mountain sports. Despite the risks and challenges, including tough decisions faced by many athletes, N.Luvsansharav, with determination and guidance from his coach, quickly honed his skills.
His hard work paid off with impressive international achievements, including a first-place finish at the 2023 World Youth Skyrunning Championships in Italy, a bronze medal at the World Stair Climbing Championship in Japan, and double gold medals at the snowy mountain running competition in Japan.
Mountain sports, especially snow mountain running, is a new discipline developing in our country. Among the athletes you competed against for first place, the strongest one was from the host country.
Thank you. I am thrilled to have represented my country for the first time at the snow mountain running continental competition held in Japan, where I won first place in two categories and became the Asian champion overall. Among over 400 athletes from Asia-Pacific countries, the strongest were from Japan. On the first day, we raced in windy and stormy conditions, and the next day it was rainy. I quickly adapted to the weather, climate, and conditions there, and the food also suited me well.
To achieve this success, I traveled to the Khantaishir Mountains in Govi-Altai Province and trained for 21 days at an elevation of 2,800 meters above sea level. I live in a high-altitude region. Naranbulag soum of Uvs Province, where my father was born, is my homeland. Growing up close to the mountains, rivers, and livestock has been beneficial. I’m passionate about this sport, and I dedicate my life to it.
In 2016, I became a student of coach A.Gantulga, and began training under his guidance. That year, I won the summit race and was inspired to pursue mountain sports. Four years later, I came to Ulaanbaatar City, studied at the National University of Physical Education, and graduated. After the pandemic lockdowns were lifted, I began intensive training in 2022 and started my journey in mountain sports competitions. I believe that every time I compete, the mountains of my homeland support me.
Athletes often begin their success journey with optimism, was it the same for you too?
People have an instinct to feel their own strength. When I was preparing to compete in the Skyrunning World Championships in Italy in 2023, I had a strong feeling that I would win. In Italy, I competed alongside L.Zolbayar, who helped establish the “Skyrunning Mongolia” association. I won first place in the vertical (mountain summit race) and placed fifth in the skyrace (24 km mountain race), which led to me becoming the world champion in the overall standings. Athletes often face obstacles during races. In the skyrace, I was leading at 16 km, but during the downhill section, I had an issue with my shoes and was overtaken by other competitors, losing my position. In snow mountain running, the classic race is similar to a marathon, with a rough trail. The race includes both uphill and downhill sections, each five kilometers long, and we use poles when necessary.
After seeing Japanese athletes in the top three, I thought they must have prepared well for this competition.
When I participated in the championship, I had the opportunity to meet foreign athletes and share information. I would watch their training routines on their social media pages and Instagram. The president of the Japan Skyrunning Association saw me win that competition, as well as my bronze medal at the World Stair Climbing Championship in Osaka. At that time, I climbed the 69-story building in nine minutes, and winning first place was not easy. Organizers of the competition send links to athletes who have registered, and I would look at the participants from other countries to assess who might be my competitors.
This time, I focused on studying Japanese athletes and developed strategies accordingly. Before the Asian Championship, my coach told me, “Just get out of the starting line and push forward. Everything will fall into place during the race. I wish you success. Go and bring back those double gold medals.” When I arrived in Japan, the president of the Skyrunning Association said, “I am confident you will win this competition.” He said this because he had closely studied my achievements in both domestic and international competitions, and his association had organized three major snow mountain running events in Japan. The Japanese athletes competed fiercely, and my previous successes likely had a big influence. I fulfilled my coach’s wish and kept my promise, becoming the champion.
The athletes from countries with hot climates where snow doesn’t fall must have found it difficult to run uphill.
Some of them hadn’t even trained on snow, let alone stepped on it, and this became evident during the race. The competition was held on Mount Tsumagoi in Japan. With a ski resort and forests, it’s a beautiful natural area, so many tourists visit.
In Mongolia, snow hardens when it stays for a while. However, the snow on the mountains there is different from ours. It’s soft and fluffy, and when you step on it, your feet sink in, making running difficult. For Mongolians, running on snow-covered mountains is a common activity. In our country, heavy snow falls, sometimes knee-deep. It’s difficult to follow livestock in such deep snow. The nomadic lifestyle teaches people to be hardworking, alert, and resilient to almost anything. Herding livestock in particular expands and develops one’s mind. Among the five livestock species, goats are very clever, eating the tips of grass, drinking clean water, and climbing rough, uphill terrain.
When I used to chase goats on the mountain, running after them for a few hours served as training. Snow running on mountains is considered an extreme sport. It requires courage, endurance, and a strong will, in addition to the goal-setting and training involved. Throughout my participation in continental and world competitions, the support of my federation’s leadership, my coaches, family, relatives, and friends was invaluable.
The course of the continental competition had many obstacles, and it must have been difficult to run downhill. Did you change your planned strategy during the race?
Running downhill was quite tricky, with many potential hazards that could lead to injury. The soft snow caused my shoes to slip, or I would lose balance and almost fall backwards, which made it hard to maintain control. At such times, I focused on not losing my balance. In mountain sports, this kind of challenge is something athletes face regularly. The decision to start training was influenced by my upbringing in a nomadic lifestyle and my close connection with nature. As a child, I would chase after lambs and kids on steep, rocky terrain, being careful not to injure my hands or feet when climbing uphill and planning my descent to avoid falling. These childhood experiences and instincts formed the foundation for my later success.
The moment of the nation’s first athlete to win the world championship in Italy still lingers. Do you have any interesting stories from that event?
Italy is five hours ahead of Mongolia, and the environment and time zone difference had a significant impact. I arrived a few days before the competition to adjust my training, sleep, meals, and rest. On the first day of the competition, more than 300 athletes were released at three-minute intervals. I started in the middle, but managed to catch up with the athletes ahead. Regardless of the situation, it’s important to always follow the rules of the race. As I neared the finish line, I felt a rush of excitement and nerves. Words cannot fully capture the emotions I felt at that moment. When I crossed the finish line, my coach, L.Zolbayar, said, “Congratulations. You’ve qualified for the silver medal.” Since I had come with the goal of winning first place, that news wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear. However, after the judges reviewed the situation and corrected their mistake, they announced that I had won first place. At that moment, I couldn’t help but shed tears of joy.
What aspects of the countries where the competitions were held stood out to you? What was it about Japan that particularly touched your heart?
The people of Japan are avid readers and tend to consume healthy, ocean-derived foods. It was a delightful sight to see people reading books everywhere, on trains, in the metro, or on buses. Tourists frequently visit Tokyo for sightseeing. During my time in the city, I realized how a country’s development impacts the lives, living conditions, education, knowledge, and attitudes of its people. I felt the difference in how the country creates a peaceful, comfortable environment for its citizens to live and work, while also fostering a culture of respect for others, hardworking attitudes, and humility. I was also impressed by the way people prefer to live simply, resolving issues with a minimalist approach.
When the national anthem was played on the medal podium, what were the first thoughts that crossed your mind?
I thought of my homeland, the people, my birthplace, my parents, and the teachers who helped me reach this achievement. I did not become a continental or world champion just through my own efforts. The support, hard work, trust, and hopes of many people played a role in helping me win the gold medal, and it is important to mention that. I am always grateful to the teachers who have been by my side, guiding me forward. Without them, I cannot imagine achieving success. Standing with my country’s flag raised and celebrating that moment made me realize just how valuable it is for an athlete. It made me truly feel the beauty of being connected to my homeland.
Foreign athletes must have already begun studying your performance, so the competition in the next event will be even tougher, won’t it?
I am preparing for three major competitions. I aimed to successfully participate in the continental championship and break new ground in the competitions this year, and I have already achieved that goal. With the scheduled competitions approaching, I resumed my training the day after returning from Japan. The first of these is an international competition in Malaysia on April 27. Athletes competing in short-distance races focus heavily on speed and explosiveness. I am preparing for this by training in 400 meters for speed and 30 to 35 km once a week for long-distance running. My coach and team members and I are training at the foothills of Bogd Khaan Mountain and at Tsetsee Gun Peak. Last year, in an international competition in Thailand, I finished 19th in the 50 km race due to my physical condition. The hot and humid climate and the food there made me feel unwell, but I plan to carefully study the environment and climate the next time I go.
Starting your success with a gold medal must make defending your championship title feel challenging, right?
In any race I enter, I set the goal of winning. Life as an athlete is not as easy as it might seem. However, I have already adapted. When I cross borders and represent my country and my father’s name with pride, I strive to behave properly in public. I also respect my competitors and interact with them amicably, carrying many thoughts with me. Sometimes, I feel a sense of pressure, worrying about letting down my supporters and failing to meet their expectations. To avoid becoming too anxious or distressed, I try to stay calm. Before competing, I like to revive my spirits and listen to songs about horses. I have many plans, and sometimes I have to set some things aside to overcome the challenges ahead. Perhaps not only I, but others too, are advancing along similar paths.
Athletes often have a family background in sports. After looking into it, it seems that your father or mother had some connection to sports.
My father was an athlete in his youth, competing in track and field and winning competitions in the western five provinces. I am the only son of eight children and the first athlete in my family. There are notable sports figures born from my hometown, including O.Baljinnyam, a legendary wrestler, who made history with his impressive skills. I aim to continue his legacy in mountain sports and elevate the reputation of my hometown. As for me, I have won two gold and one bronze medals at the World Championship, and three gold medals at the Asian Championship. I also hold the record for the longest marathon in Mongolia, completing a six-hour run. I have also won the 50 km long-distance race and became the national champion. I have a bronze medal from the 10 km race at the “Ulaanbaatar Marathon” and have participated in over 10 local mountain sports competitions, winning first place in all of them.
By D.CHANTSALMAA
