Champion Mongolian archer to hang up her bow

Champion Mongolian archer to hang up her bow Sydney (AUS) – 15 October 2009     Two-time Olympian Otgon JARGAL from Mongolia announced her retirement from competitive archery following the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney. With her 35 years experience in the sport, she will now coach the new generation of archers in her native country.    A tradition of archery in her home country Mongolia means two-time Olympian Otgon JARGAL is famous, but the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games signals her final appearance in international competition. JARGAL competed in the women's 50-59 recurve freestyle event and finished 6th at her final event, with a score of 1186 points. Turkish Olympian Zehra OKTEM won gold with a score of 1312 points.
 
JARGAL is already planning for the future, and when she goes back to Ulan Bator she will take up a position coaching the new generation of Mongolian archers. She says she hopes to develop excellent technical skills in her students. "It is like a building, if the foundation is good, the building will be good," she said.
 
Although JARGAL would like to continue competing in the sport she has loved for 35 years, she says her age is working against her. "I very much want to keep competing but as I get older, the bow is too hard, and I don't have the power any more."
 
Archery is one of the most popular sports in Mongolia, although the country's economic situation means modern archery equipment is out of reach. Despite this, the country had success at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games with a Mongolian competitor winning a gold medal.    Source: www.2009worldmasters.com Edited by FITA Communication