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Steppe Into the Gobi: Preface
It all started when I sneaked onto the wrestling field, where only ‘press-passed’ photographers were allowed, in the Tsengeldeh Hureelen Wrestling Stadium, during Naadam, in Ulanbaatar. Courtney and I...
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Altai Naadam Wrestling Scandal
Wrestler With Dust by M. Orgil & Thantcyn Nyan Wrestlers B.Joronzonbold (in red top), ranked Elephant, and D.Lhagvadorj (in blue top), ranked Falcon, made it to the 7th level of the wrestling...
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A Country Naadam, Part I: Happenstance
It was pure happenstance that we experienced our first country Naadam, way out in left-field of the Mongolian Gobi. A day after enjoying UB’s Naadam, and just five days after arriving in Mongolia, we...
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A Country Naadam, Part II: Happy Birthday Altai City!
Once my students learned of my interest in Mongolian wrestling, they walked me to the hanger-sized Altai City Sports Center, and introduced me to the local wrestlers. Even though they were preparing...
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A Country Naadam, Part III: Pre-Naadam Show
Naadam started on a patriotic note, as a small army blocked off Janchiv Square, while flowers were laid at the giant statue’s boots to honor his short heroic life. A silken tide of deels pressed...
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A Country Naadam, Part IV: Let the Games Begin!
After the opening ceremonies, we bounced outside of Altai City, in a dust veiled procession of ‘machines’, with our student, Cassandra, and her family, to watch the horse races. A handful of bumpy...
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