Twelve-year-old Gerelt-Od Kherlen needed something to do. So he became a boxer.

The boy lives in Dambadarjaa. That’s a tent-dotted district in Mongolia. He used to play chess at school. But the chess program ended. Last September, his father heard about the Mongolian Boxing Academy. It was opening close by.

“We are happy that our son has found his passion and hobby,” says his mom. “We decided to send him because it will keep him away from playing on the smartphone and watching too much TV at home.”

Mongolia is a country in east Asia. It’s sandwiched between Russia and China. It has a long history of skilled warriors. Legendary conqueror Genghis Khan came from the region. Mongolians have won Olympic medals in sports such as boxing, wrestling, and archery.

Gerelt-Od was already strong. He grew up in a place without running water. He fetched water every day for his family. He also chopped firewood. As he worked, he grew tougher and more patient.

At the boxing academy, he and dozens of other children learned to punch and avoid being hit. Gerelt-Od trained for more than two hours every day before going to school.

Less than a year later, he made it to the national championship. He finished third in his category. Go, Gerelt-Od! 

His next dream? Become an Olympic champion.

The glory of young men is their strength. — Psalm 20:29