FIBA Basketball

    Altanzul proud to be part of Mongolia's FIBA U18 comeback after 20 years

    BENGALURU (India) - Khongorzul Altanzul is extremely proud to be part of history as Mongolia returns to the FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship after two decades.

    BENGALURU (India) - Khongorzul Altanzul is just one of the many young Mongolian athletes who idolize 3x3 star Khulan Onolbaatar.

    For starters, the 23-year-old made history by becoming the first-ever female flag-bearer of the country in last year's Tokyo Olympics, where she also bannered the women's national team in the halfcourt competitions.



    That squad led by Onolbaatar was also the first Mongolian team to ever take part in the Summer Games, making that campaign historic in every sense of the word for a nation that's known to win medals in individual events.

    "She motivates me," said the 18-year-old forward of the FIBA 3x3 veteran, "that I can play on big stages -- including the Olympics."

    Now, it is Altanzul who's making history. She's part of the first Mongolian women's team since 2002 to compete in a FIBA event, as they are set to play in Division B of the upcoming U18 Women's Asian Championship 2022.

    "This tournament is historical," she said. "The Mongolian basketball family is very happy that we are in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship."

    They may be coming in as first-timers, but Altanzul and Co. believe that Mongolia can show that they're capable of competing -- thanks to 3x3.

    "3x3 has motivated our nation that we can play basketball, and we can work together," she said. "Many Mongolian people said we can’t play team sports. We can only do individual sports like wrestling, boxing and shooting."

    "Last year, the Mongolian 3x3 women’s team participated in the Tokyo Olympics. I think all the Mongolians' minds changed, that we can also play team sports, especially basketball," she added.

    Altanzul herself is playing 3x3. She played in the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup last August with Nyamtseteg Batjargal, Enkhbuyan Enkhbayar, and Nyamjav Nandinkhusel -- all of which are her teammates again in the upcoming meet.

    So, there's been an established chemistry within the four, something that they aim to bring as they take charge in the Asian U18 festivities.

    "It is an honor for me and my teammates to represent the country. The FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup was our first international level tournament. It was amazing. Now we are here in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship," she said.

    "It is a big stage for us. Me and my teammates are very lucky to represent our country in both 3x3 and 5-on-5," added Altanzul, who was the highest-ranked player in that 3x3 U18 World Cup team with 6,164 points to her name.

    Excitement is felt within Mongolia for the tournament ahead, but they aren't out for exposure alone. They're coming in with a purpose, and that is to show that they can go at par with some of the continent's best.

    "We want to improve not just in 3x3; we want to be a good competitor in 5-on-5 in Asia," said Altanzul. "We want to be a good competitor in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship 2022. Our goal is to be an A-Division team."

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