Newton’s Bishrelt “Giga” Bat-Erdene made history last year by becoming the first (and only) Mongolian American athlete to win a Division One State Championship in Massachusetts. This season, he’s continued to break new ground, this time as captain of the Newton North Tigers. He discussed his lifelong passion for the game and what helped bring him to the pinnacle of high school athletics in Massachusetts.

Bat-Erdene has been immersed in soccer since childhood, crediting his father with instilling in him a love of the game. Spending his early years in Sydney, Australia, he found that sports can often act as a unifying force for communities, regardless of origin. He grew up a fan of Chelsea United, idolizing midfielder Eden Hazard.

He began his career at Newton North as a striker, a position that taught him how to operate under pressure. Bat-Erdene views it as an important milestone in his development as a player.

“It exposes your vulnerabilities: missed chances, bad decisions, or being caught offside, and you have to accept and learn from those moments,” he said. Through trial and error, he’s developed the skill and fortitude necessary for a leader on the field.

Reaching the position of captain has brought its own set of challenges and opportunities.

“Before, I focused mostly on my own performance and the result. Now, I think more about how we compete together as a team.” He emphasizes how important it is for captains to “bridge the gap between coaches and teammates.” While he once focused mainly on metrics and the thrill that comes with scoring goals, his time as captain has taught him the importance of seeing the field and his team from a broader perspective, no longer simply “pushing forward.”

While the 2025-2026 season is still ongoing, Bat-Erdene has enjoyed seeing how much the team has grown as a whole. He praised his co-captain, Peter Reale, for his defensive expertise and the strong connection they’ve been able to develop as co-leaders.

Being one of only a few Mongolian athletes in the United States, he takes pride in his role as a cultural representative. “I hope it shows that even though Mongolians are extremely rare in American sports, we can belong and succeed anywhere.” Though this might create pressure, it’s also helped him stay motivated.

“When I step on the field, I’m not just playing for myself or for Newton North—I’m representing my heritage, my community,” he said.

His time playing with the Tigers has been a crucial learning experience for Bat-Erdene, both on and off the pitch. He credits the game with giving him experience in time management and communication, especially in his current role as co-captain. Even after all his success, he stresses the importance of constantly remaining humble; “no matter how skilled you are, there’s always someone better, always more to learn.”

Bat-Erdene currently plans to study finance, seeing a parallel between the strategy necessary in business and the strategic thinking he’s developed over the years as a soccer player. He hopes to continue to grow as an athlete, while always “staying grounded in what I’ve learned from the game.”