President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga issued a decree to bestow wrestler S.Battsetseg with the Labor Hero of Mongolia title on July 31.President Kh.Battulga handed the Golden Soyombo pin of the Labor Hero title along with the Order of Sukhbaatar to the athlete on August 2 at the State Palace. President Kh.Battulga handed the Golden Soyombo pin of the Labor Hero title along with the Order of Sukhbaatar to the athlete on August 2 at the State Palace. S.Battsetseg became the 18th Mongolian athlete to become a Labor Hero of Mongolia and fifth freestyle wrestler to be granted the honor. To date, former freestyle wrestlers Kh.Bayanmunkh (1992), J.Munkhbat (1994), Z.Oidov (1994) and D.Tserentogtokh (2006) were awarded the Labor Hero of Mongolia title. After the ceremony, President Kh.Battulga said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we gathered here to reward State Honored Athlete S.Battsetseg. Wrestler S.Battsetseg promoted Mongolian freestyle wrestlers’ skill, courage, attitude, and patience to the world. I highly value her contributions to the history of Mongolian freestyle wrestling.” “S.Battsetseg opened a new page in freestyle wrestling history. She showed us that we could achieve something through our natural talent and skill if we work hard. Congratulations to London 2012 Summer Olympic bronze medalist, two-time world champion and a member of the national wrestling team S.Battsetseg, her family, teachers and all Mongolians for supporting her. I hope she will do more and promote Mongolia in the future. Thank you,” he added. S.Battsetseg gave a brief interview after the award ceremony. You stepped into the freestyle wrestling world in 2005. Are you happy with your achievements to date? What is your next plan? Actually, I could have had more achievements. I will work hard in order to reach my dream. Athletes of the national team are training to compete in the upcoming World Freestyle Wrestling Championship, which will be held in Paris, France from August 21 to 26. I couldn't attend training because I was being treated in Europe. I will prepare hard for tournaments to be held in 2018. Starting 2019, Olympic to be held in 2018. Starting 2019, Olympic qualification tournaments will be organized. I am planning to compete in those tournaments and earn a right to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. You refused to join the national women’s freestyle wrestling team in February. Why did you make that decision? As I said before, I entered the national women’s freestyle wrestling team when I was 19. At the time I was very happy because I was given a salary. I spent my money on clothes, bus rides, and other stuff. I felt encouraged back then. I want to give that same chance to younger athletes and declined the offer to join the national team. You talked about retirement from wrestling after the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. Yes, I did talk about retirement, but I changed my mind and objective. How did you know that you would be awarded the Labor Hero title? You were in Europe. I was being treated in Europe. There were so many calls when I turned on my phone on Monday morning. My teacher said, “President issued a decree to give you the Labor Hero title. You have to come back as soon as possible.” I thought about my father at that moment. My father was a very good and unique person. I think my father sees me from heaven and feels happy.