B.Narantuya: My defeats sharpened me

Athlete of Elite and Metro Pool golf equipment B.Narantuya is the primary Mongolian participant to win a bronze medal on the “IBSF World Snooker Championships 2023” held final month in Doha, Qatar. Her abilities, standing with the world champions, impressed the younger folks to have an interest on this sport and instilled hope. She introduced house a bronze medal from the Asian Billiards Championship earlier than, as properly. She opened a brand new web page of success in Mongolian billiards sport, profitable  the Nationwide Billiards Championship 11 instances and the Nationwide Billiard and Snooker Championship 12 instances. We talked to her about her success.

Whenever you got here with a bronze medal from the Asian World Championship, you mentioned you noticed the chance to achieve the following World Championship in Doha. You went to Qatar 3 times and competed with the perfect billiard gamers on this planet.

Qatar was type to me. After I set foot there for the primary time, I received a bronze medal within the Asian Billiard Championship and paved the way in which for the success of Mongolian athletes. Each time I represented my nation, I made pals with continental and world champions and expanded my circle of acquaintances. Earlier than, none of them knew me and didn’t know the place Mongolia exists. We acquired to know one another after competing in just a few competitions, and now they arrive and greet me. Our male athletes performed properly within the group class and reached the quarterfinals. We turned one another’s coach, bodily therapist, and psychologist through the event, and we inspired and suggested one another.

Because you got here again with a medal, you will have participated in international competitions with no break. Can it’s thought-about that your purpose that you’ve considered for a few years has been fulfilled?

I went to Malaysia after profitable the medal on the Asian Billiard Championship and misplaced the medal whereas competing within the World Billiard Championship. Defeats sharpened me and made me work onerous with out relaxation for fulfillment. I acquired psychologically ready and realized from my errors and shortcomings each time I examined my abilities from competitors to competitors. I used to be afraid of enjoying for a medal within the World Championship, however I needed to seize the medal. In a method, it isn’t straightforward to consider many issues, such because the household, the fame of my nation, and my group members of the membership. Within the medal match, the toughest factor is to lose to my opponent by a slim margin of factors. At the moment, athletes want to manage their thoughts.

You confronted robust opponents within the final championship. Was it onerous to take them down?

Sure, after all. At first, I used to be shedding to Hong Kongese and Polish athletes and afterwards I received by factors. I certified from my division and competed with Diana Statsny, a German athlete and silver medalist of the World Championship, for the bronze medal. As for me, after I competed within the World Championship for the primary time final 12 months, I defeated her and caught the eye of the perfect. In that event, a brand new acquaintance who had by no means performed with the champions got here and beat the world medalist. I didn’t know on the time that she was among the best. This time, after I performed together with her once more, I assumed, “I received one match earlier than, why don’t I win this time?” She was offended that she had misplaced to me once more and left the corridor upset. Then she met me outdoors the lodge and mentioned, “Congratulations, you performed properly. Change the colour of your medal and turn out to be a champion.” Athletes lose to one among them through the competitors, however after that, they need one another good luck and turn out to be good pals.

There are in all probability many athletes who’ve turn out to be pals because the World Championship finals? 

Certain. It was observed that the athletes turned concerned with Mongolia and studied how the billiard sport developed as a result of I met them at each event. They requested, “When will your nation set up the continental and world competitions? If doable, we’ll go and take part. Mongolians dwell a nomadic life and set up festivals and horse racing. Is the climate chilly or heat now?” It looks as if international athletes are concerned with Mongolian historical past and tradition. And so they mentioned “I heard that there was a strong king named Chinggis Khaan who conquered half the world in Mongolia. How properly have you learnt about your king?” And I answered, “Sure, I do know properly. As a result of he’s my grandfather.” and so they laughed onerous.

You participated within the World Championships held in Ankara, Turkey final summer time and received a bronze medal. Are you able to inform us extra?

I received a silver medal within the particular person American pool class and a bronze medal within the group on the Pupil Universiade Video games held in Taiwan. I used to be chosen to take part in Chinese language 8-ball pool billiards on the World Billiard Championships of the Continents held final summer time in Ankara. Athletes from China, Hong Kong, Mongolia, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam competed as a group. It was not solely a uncommon alternative but in addition an honor for a Mongolian to characterize the continent from Asia. I performed with the Asian “B” group. Workforce “A” received gold and group “B” received bronze. Continental and world bronze medals had been worthwhile to me. It required sensitivity, talent, expertise, and expertise.

You had an opportunity to win Doha’s pool desk. How did you’re feeling about that? 

I had the chance to win gold and silver medals. After defeating the German athlete and securing the bronze medal, my coach mentioned, “You’ll be able to’t be glad along with your sport even in the event you go away your concern behind. Play with this power and alter the colour of your medal.” Indian athlete Anupama Ramachandran, who performed earlier within the Asian Billiard Championship, was up in opposition to the silver medalist. I beat her with a rating of three:0 however misplaced. 

She received the Junior World Billiard Championship and received the group class of the World Championship with skilled athletes. Despite the fact that she is eight years youthful than me, she is profitable. I’m happy with her courageous, energetic, and decided efficiency. I didn’t really feel too unhealthy about shedding this time in opposition to such a powerful opponent. Athletes be taught from the strengths of their opponents and develop themselves. We’ll meet later in one other match. I’ll compete with a special mindset within the subsequent event as a result of I do know the options and strategies of her sport.

I heard that the world champions are afraid of your eyes, is that true?

How decided the athletes are may be seen from their eyes. Coaches carefully observe and research the character, enjoying method, and psychological state of their athletes’ opponents. The Thai coach noticed my match within the Asian Billiard Championship and mentioned to my coach, “Your athlete’s eyes will convey success sooner or later.”

What did you suppose if you stood on the medal stand on the IBSF World Snooker Championships 2023?

After I was introduced as a Mongolian athlete, I used to be very happy with my nation, my dad and mom, my kinfolk, my coach who led me to success, my supportive membership administration, my colleagues, and my pals. I’ve been pals with billiards since I used to be a baby and I’ve labored for a few years to realize success. Previously, I’ve confronted many disagreeable issues, however I’m completely happy that I overcame them for the sake of my targets. Some folks say, “Billiards just isn’t a sport. Are you able to succeed?, simply cease” whereas there are individuals who say, “I want this youngster will attain success.”

Do Asian international locations give you to play within the nationwide group?

Shortly after profitable the bronze medal on the Asian Billiard Championship, the coach from China mentioned, “You’ll be able to come and practice in our nation. We’re prepared to just accept you any time.” This World Snooker Championship could be very aggressive and attention-grabbing. Belgian participant and 12-time world champion Wendy Jans certified for the ultimate however returned house with no medal. It’s not straightforward for the perfect to defend their title in each event they take part in.

I believe that your loved ones’s care and dependability have led to your victory many instances.

My members of the family are my loyal followers. I’m making an attempt to achieve my purpose as a result of my household helps me. My mom was completely happy to listen to that I received a medal on the World Championship and instructed her kinfolk and shut pals, “My daughter received a bronze medal.” Many individuals congratulated and inspired me after I received a medal. At the moment, I assumed that I shouldn’t lose their belief and hope. My dad and mom used to hold my medals from the ceiling of their gers. Along with my household, the assist of many individuals who’ve helped me vastly contributes to my success. 

I don’t get to know all the great thing about the nation I go to, however I come to see its growth. After I go to overseas, I first in contrast it to my house nation. I’m concerned with how the infrastructure, roads, and transport have been developed there. It feels good after I go to how they solved the site visitors congestion. Malaysia is extra developed than Mongolia. However those that dwell in poverty can not discover a place to lie or sit. Then I used to be grateful for the huge plains of my nation the place anybody may assemble a ger anyplace.

Whenever you went to London final spring, you took half in a contest the place skilled athletes compete. Please tell us about it.

I discovered England to be essentially the most nice nation to dwell in. And it’s the birthplace of billiards. Most of the world’s most well-known skilled athletes dwell there. After I went to London final Might and met with the coaches {of professional} athletes, I used to be within the Crucible Theater the place the World Championship is held. Throughout my keep there, I performed in a event the place skilled athletes competed and made it to the highest eight. Earlier than that, on the World Championship of Skilled Gamers held in Thailand in March, I defeated Hong Kong’s athlete, three-time world champion Ng On-yee, and beat the latest World Championship winner Vidya Pillai of India. I additionally completed within the prime eight. At the moment, the viewers was stunned to see that two champions had been defeated by an novice athlete who was not even seen as the perfect. None of them anticipated me to compete strongly as a result of they didn’t know my model of play. Having competed in skilled sports activities twice, I used to be ranked fiftieth out of the highest 100 and was invited by the English Affiliation of Snooker and Billiards. That’s why I went to London. Now I’m aiming to enhance my rating and rank within the prime 10. There are worldwide open tournaments in Belgium and Albania in January subsequent 12 months. Subsequent, I’ll compete within the Ladies’s Skilled Billiards Championship, which might be held in England in April. On this method, I’m getting ready onerous for collaborating in consecutive competitions. For me, 2024 will in all probability be the 12 months to problem myself in main skilled tournaments.