Wrestling, not boxing, is the sport
most people associate with Mongolia but the latter is becoming more and more
popular, thanks in part to the achievements of one man. He is sitting in the
stands, watching the bout intently. His name is Badar Uugan Enkhbatyn and at
the London Olympics in two years” time he will be defending the gold medal he
won in Beijing.

Just 25 years old, he is a national
hero but in this sparsely populated country, he can wear his fame lightly.
People do not bother him much. So as young fans come up to ask for autographs
he takes the time to chat to them with one eye watching the action going on
behind them in the ring.

He trains in the same Ulaanbaatar
sports palace gym used by the kids training after school. There is not much
special treatment in evidence here. He drives me to see where he came from –
his old neighborhood in what is still a rough suburb.

These days he owns a big apartment
he shares with his wife and two young children. His gold medal is pinned on the
wall, along with the plaques and trophies that tell his story. The preparations
for the next chapter are now beginning. As soon as he struck gold in Beijing he
says, he started thinking about how to win the next one in London.

In fact he smiles a lot but says
little. He tolerates the interest others have in his career but does not really
encourage it. I suspect he is happier to let his fists do the talking.