Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021: Despite a 19-10 defeat to Japan in the women’s 3x3 basketball pool round at Aomi Urban Sports Park on Sunday morning, there was no disguising the pride of representing Mongolia at the Olympic Games for Khulan Onolbaatar.
Playing in front of the Mongolian Prime Minister, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, although she did not know it at the time, Khulan summed up the emotion in her team.
“Our Prime Minister told us that you girls are making history and representing your country in the Olympic Games,” said Khulan, who will celebrate her 22nd birthday on July 27.
“Being able to step on the court makes us so proud and gives us an overwhelming amount of pride and honour.
“It is giving us the chance to promote my country to the whole world.”
Khulan, who speaks perfect English after living in Australia for two years, said she took up 3x3 basketball because her brother plays 3x3 professionally.
“I used to watch my brother and I fell in love with basketball. I know that 3x3 is becoming more and more popular back home.”
On the game itself, she said Mongolia played “really great” defense in the first half but they could not keep up with the fast and furious Japanese attacks later on.
“We were playing in the home city and against the home team so they had the advantage. We will do our best and try to hold our ground,” she added.
With the loss, Mongolia dropped to 0-3 after opening day defeats to Italy and the United States – but nothing can take away from the fact that they became the first team to qualify for the Olympic Games in the history of sport in the country.