By Nick Butler

The Mongolian delegation pose ahead of the Asian Beach Games in Phuket ©Mongolia NOCA Mongolian delegation that will compete in eight sports is preparing to depart for Phuket for the Asian Beach Games, which are due to open on Friday (November 14). 


Despite being a landlocked country, the central Asian nation has a strong heritage in beach sport, having participated in all three previous editions of the Asian Beach Games, winning their only gold, in beach wrestling, at the first event in Bali in 2008. 

Combat sports will provide the greatest number of medal opportunities this time once again, with teams participating in sambo, kurash, jiu jitsu and muay thai, as well as beach wrestling.

Athletes will also compete in petanque, beach modern pentathlon and basketball 3x3. 

The team were sent on their way with a farewell ceremony organised by the Mongolian National Olympic Committee.

MNOC President Demchigjav Zagdsuren was among those present, along with J.Khatanbaatar, the team's Chef de Mission at Phuket 2014. 

The Games are due last until November 22, with 6,000 athletes representing 45 countries set to compete in 26 beach or sea sports.

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