Future speed skating champions train at the Chinggis Square

 If you have seen and wondered why there are so many children at Chinggis Square practicing roller skating, they are the young athletes of the Central Sports Palace. Shuud.mn spoke with coach A.Bold and his students about their training.

Please introduce yourself. Your students have been training at the Chinggis Square quite a long time.

 I am an international speed skating master and speed skating coach at the Sports and Physical Education School of Ulaanbaatar. The skating class at our school was opened as part of President Ts.Elbegdorj’s decree to develop winter sports in Mongolia, and I was assigned as coach. I have been working in this position for over a year now. My students have been very successful so far and have been developing fast. We won 18 medals from the State Speed Skating Championship.

How old are your students? 

Our school admits student above fourth grade. The youngest student of the speed skating class is in fourth grade. The students who are training right now are in fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth grades. The students of our school specialize in one sport, besides taking general education classes. There are 11 students in the speed skating class, which is currently in its second year. 

Where is the school located? 

We are located at the Central Sports Palace. 

Tell me about the training rinks and fields.

The Mongolian Skating Association is located at the Central Stadium. There is a roller skating rink and training facilities. However, Chinggis Square is nearer to our school, that’s why we train here. My students are training to participate in the Children’s Games in June 6. 

Are you training roller skating as there are no indoor ice rinks in Mongolia?

Training on ice begins in October. The Central Stadium prepares an ice rink when the weather becomes cold enough. In summers, we do roler skating and running as an alternative. We train all four seasons without breaks.

Speed skating class students also shared their goals and spoke about their training.

Enkhzul: I want to become an international athlete

How long have you been speed skating? How do you like your training? What is your goal?

I have been taking speed skating classes for three years. My dream is to become an international athlete. I study in the sixth grade. 

Is it hard to skate in winter? Have you ever wanted to give up?

Yes, I have. But I really like speed skating and I don’t give up. I don’t get cold in winter because I keep skating on ice. 

What do you like most about speed skating?

I enjoy the feeling of freedom.