The 33rd World Memory Championships 2024, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from December 4-8, brought together 101 athletes from 21 countries to compete in ten demanding categories. In an extraordinary display of mental prowess, Mongolian athletes took home an astounding 80 out of the 90 medals awarded, solidifying their dominance on the world stage.
With 32 participants, the Mongolian team secured an impressive tally of 11 trophies, 27 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 26 bronze medals. Their overwhelming success not only swept the competition but also set new benchmarks in the history of the Championships.
A Rising Star Shines Bright
Among the many highlights was the performance of 17-year-old World Champion and Grandmaster Uurintsolmon Enkhjargal, who etched her name into the record books by memorizing 6,465 digits in just 30 minutes without a single error. Her flawless performance shattered existing world records and earned her the coveted World Champion title once again.
Uurintsolmon’s victory was especially notable as she outperformed seasoned adult competitors, becoming the youngest-ever overall champion in the 33-year history of the event. Her journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary, with previous titles including Junior World Champion in 2022, Youth World Champion in 2023, and Champion at the 2024 Memoriad World Mental Sports Olympics. She is only the third Mongolian to claim the overall World Champion title.
Other Record-Breaking Achievements
Another stellar performance came from Grandmaster O. Naranzul, who memorized 1,968 playing cards in 60 minutes without a single mistake, setting a new youth world record. Meanwhile, B. Baasandorj made history by becoming the first Mongolian to win a silver medal at the World Speed Reading Championship.
Grandmaster Titles for Mongolian Athletes
The Championships also saw three Mongolian athletes — Uurintsolmon Enkhjargal, O. Naranzul, and Ts. Oyun-Erdene — earned the prestigious Grandmaster title, the highest accolade in memory sports. This achievement marked a significant milestone for Mongolia, as the country had not produced any new Grandmasters in the past five years. With these additions, Mongolia now boasts 13 Grandmasters in memory sports.
A Legacy of Excellence
Mongolia’s unprecedented success at the 33rd World Memory Championships not only highlights the country’s exceptional talent in mental sports but also underscores its commitment to excellence in this field. The team’s dominance in Istanbul will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of memory athletes and further elevate Mongolia’s reputation on the global stage.
As the country celebrates this historic achievement, it stands as a testament to the dedication, discipline, and skill of its memory athletes, who continue to redefine the limits of human potential.
