Batteseg Soronzonboldyn, an Olympic bronze medalist, spent time recently working with the Alfred State wrestling team
From Alfred State College,
Three-time Olympic wrestler Batteseg Soronzonboldyn (Mongolia) was a special guest as the Alfred State women’s wrestling team started preparation for the 2024-25 season. Soronzonboldyn was a bronze medalist at the 2012 Olympics held in London.
“USA Wrestling connected us,” commented Alfred State wrestling coach Margaret Laine. “I was excited to have the opportunity to host her in our area.”
Soronzonboldyn became Mongolia’s first female gold medalist at the World Wrestling Championships in 2010. It was the first of two gold medals she has won at the World Championships. Her bronze medal in 2012 made her the first Mongolian to medal in freestyle wrestling since the 1980 Olympics. At the 2020 Olympics, she placed fifth.
While in the area Batteseg led two clinics for current wrestlers at Alfred State and worked with them in the weight room. She also co-led a NY K-12 Clinic in Fulton, NY and presented alongside Laine in an Intro to Sport Management class at ASC.
Laine continued, “Having a wrestler of her caliber working directly with my athletes was an amazing opportunity. We have begun building a relationship not only with Batteseg but with possible future Mongolian student-athletes.”
Practices are underway for the ASC women’s wrestling team with the team slated to open competition on Nov. 3 at the Princeton Tournament.