Mongolia's top nine people of the past lunar year

Each year for the past nine years, Mongolia’s local newspaper announces the nation’s top people of the past lunar year, on the eve of the Lunar New Year on February 14.

The top nine for 2009’s Year of the Ox were:

President Elbegdorj of Mongolia (elected in May 2009 as the nation’s fourth President, he was one to the top leaders of the peaceful democratic revolution in 1990 that ended more than 65 years of communist rule)

Member of Parliament, E. Bat-Uul (awarded with the Order of National Hero in 2009)

Former Prime Minister, S. Bayar (chair of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party)

Current Prime Minister, S. Batbold

Deputy Prime Minister, M. Enkhbold (the ninth consecutive time on the list of top 9)

Grand Champion of Japanese sumo wrestling, D. Dagvadorj (known as Yokozuna Asashoryu)

Olympic boxing silver medallist, P. Serdamba (who recently won a gold medal in a world championship event)

Olympic judo bronze medallist, Kh. Tsagaanbaatar (who won gold at the world event in 2009)

Opera singer, S.Munguntsetseg (the winner of the International Opera Singers’ Competition held in Russia in 2009, and the only woman on the list of top 9).

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