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Olympic Moment: Tuvshinbayar Naidan Wins Mongolia's First Gold Medal

Aug 15, 2008 – 9:12 AM
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Michael David Smith

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Although as Americans we mostly enjoy watching our own athletes dominate at the Olympics, the best moments during the Games are really the times when gold medals go to athletes from nations that aren't accustomed to winning.

One such moment came when Tuvshinbayar Naidan won the 220-pound judo competition for Mongolia's first gold medal. Excited responses like these are what the Olympic Games, at their best, are supposed to be about:
"I can't believe Mongolia just won a gold medal," said Baljinnyam Dashdorj, 17, celebrating with relatives spanning three generations. "I can't believe he did it. This is amazing. I'm so happy, I can only jump up and down!" ...

"It is so exciting that our Mongolian flag was raised in Beijing and Tuvshee won in the Judo competition," said Gerelt-Od, 26, a construction worker. "Me and several of my friends have bought Mongolian vodka to celebrate this wonderful news. It is going to be a very exciting night."
I'm sure that Mongolian vodka tasted sweet.
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