Among the young athletes who have risen to prominence in Mongolia’s traditional archery, N.Altantulga, a native of Altai soum of Bayan-Ulgii Province and a member of the Ulgiin Mergechuud team, has established himself as one of the country’s finest marksmen. At this year’s National Naadam Festival, he struck 47 out of 48 targets in the Buryat archery competition, claiming the championship for the third time and earning the prestigious Khuukherei Mergen title.
N.Altantulga first won the National Naadam title in the archery in 2018 and successfully defended it the following year to become a two-time Buryat archery champion. He also competes in both Uriankhai and traditional Mongolian archery. At the 2022 Naadam Festival, he hit 36 of 40 targets in the traditional archery event, qualifying for the State Outstanding Archer title.
Very few archers have won the Buryat archery event three times and received the Khuukherei Mergen title. You have now joined that group.
Thank you. Two years ago, at the 2024 National Naadam, my elder brother, N.Altansukh, defeated L.Otgonbayar of Khovd Province, who holds the title of State Renowned Mergen, in a shoot-off for first place and earned the title of State Mergen. This year, I have become Buryat archery champion for the third time. My wife, L.Munkhzul, also competed in a shoot-off against five archers in the traditional archery event, finishing runner-up and qualifying for the title of State Outstanding Mergen. I believe these achievements are blessings from my late father. While he was alive, he always encouraged his sons to stay committed to archery. We have worked hard to honor his wishes and achieve success.
Many people still remember the emotional photograph of you running to congratulate your brother after his victory in 2024.
That shoot-off determined whether my brother would earn a national title. I stood there praying that he would win. When he was declared champion, I ran toward him with tears of joy. Photographers captured that moment, and the image drew a great deal of public attention. Even today, people enjoy sharing it on social media before Naadam to congratulate one another.
Your wife finished runner-up in the Khalkh archery event this year. It is quite rare for a husband and wife to both achieve such success at the National Naadam, isn’t it?
We are from the same hometown and have been married for a year. We have a baby boy, and I believe he has already brought us success, honors, and titles. It is uncommon for an entire family to achieve such results at the National Naadam. At that moment, I felt deeply proud of the legacy and strength our father passed on to his children. As his son, I am grateful that we have been able to honor our parents’ names and earn the respect of the Naadam community.
This was my 13th year competing at the National Naadam. I am the youngest son in my family, and I believe my father, watching from heaven, must have been delighted to see his youngest daughter-in-law reach the threshold of a national title. I am especially happy that my wife and I both succeeded at the National Naadam in the same year our son was born. One day, he will surely be proud of his parents.
What advice did your older brother give you before the competition?
When my brother won the 2024 Naadam, he said, “After many years of dedication to archery, I finally became champion. My younger brother has always been my teacher. I had long dreamed of facing Mergen L.Otgonbayar in a shoot-off, and it felt wonderful to achieve that goal.”
This year, my own goal was to win the Buryat archery title again, having previously claimed it in 2018 and 2019. My brother told me, “What advice can I give someone who has already won twice? Your third title is within reach. Step onto the shooting line with confidence and shoot well.” This time, I accomplished what he had hoped for. In recent years, my brother has consistently finished among the top five in traditional archery, and this year he also competed in a shoot-off for fourth place.
Archers from Bayan-Ulgii Province won the Uriankhai, Buryat, and Khalkh archery events at this year’s Naadam, earning widespread praise. I coached many of our local archers in preparation for the festival, and our team returned home with a championship, a runner-up finish, and another podium placing. I believe several of them have the potential to become champions next year. They gained valuable experience by competing alongside Mongolia’s best archers, and I will continue working closely with each of them to help them reach the top.
More than 300 archers competed in the Buryat archery event, and many participants came from Altai soum.
It made me very happy to see so many archers from our soum competing alongside my brother and me. I don’t mean to praise myself, but I believe I have a talent for coaching and mentoring others. Winning against such strong competition, after years of hard work, is never easy.
During Naadam, I am not only focused on my own performance but also on supporting my wife and my brother. Last year, I told my wife, “I will prepare you well enough to earn a national title next year.” She trained tirelessly, and this year she qualified for the State Distinguished Archer title.
Our son was only a little over a month old when we went to Kharztai, one of the country’s finest training grounds for wrestlers and archers, to prepare for Naadam. During that important training period, my parents-in-law took wonderful care of our baby, and we are deeply grateful for their support.
2026 has clearly been a memorable year for you. You welcomed your first child, became champion again, and helped your wife earn a national title.
My wife and I both performed well at the National Naadam and received our titles and badges from the President of Mongolia. It is a memory we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
During Naadam, I always think proudly of my parents. They were respected, kind-hearted people who were always willing to help others. Their sons devoted themselves to traditional archery and eventually earned national titles, which I believe is the best way we could repay their love and guidance.
The bow I used to win the Buryat archery title was crafted by J.Battumur, a holder of the title State Renowned Mergen. My arrows were made by bowyer B.Enkhsaikhan, while another skilled craftsman from our soum, G.Bayanmunkh, presented me with five new arrows before Naadam and encouraged me to earn a higher title. I was truly grateful for their support.
Do your colleagues come to watch and support you during Naadam?
Of course they do. Many come to the archery field to cheer me on. I currently serve as the commander of the Guard and Service Company at the National Defense University. The leadership and my colleagues have always supported me by giving me time for training and allowing me to compete.
Brigadier General P.Jargalan, the university’s director, knows both my professional and athletic journey very well. He has supported me in every possible way. When I first moved from Bayan-Ulgii to Ulaanbaatar, he welcomed me warmly, helped me enroll at the university, and later offered me a position there. Thanks to his encouragement, I was able to complete my education successfully while continuing to excel in Mongolia’s national sport. He has treated me like an older brother, offering guidance and support throughout my life. I could never fail to acknowledge everything he has done for me.
