Sona Poghosyan: I speak to the barbell and ask it to assist me

She was in Armenia’s Youth Olympic team just two years ago, and in 2016, she will represent Armenia in Rio de Janeiro. Mediamax Sport presents one of the youngest members of our team - Sona Poghosyan.

- You performed at Youth Olympics, and now, at age 18, you will perform in Rio. How did you learn the news?

- I was preparing for Youth World Championship to be held in Georgia, but when Hripsime Khurshudyan got an injury, the coaches told me to substitute her.

- Now that you know you’re the second part of women’s team, what do you do to perform well?

- I began lifting more kilograms during the trainings.
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- Mental readiness is very important in weightlifting. How do you prepare before performances?

- In my sport, athletes compete with themselves and the barbell. Even the slightest doubt can lead to a mistake.

- What is the barbell for you and how do you win it?

- It’s not my opponent, but rather a friend. I speak to the barbell. When I approach a new kilogram, I ask it to assist me in a way. I say, “I’m going to lift you, and we’ll overcome everything together”.

- Can you say how many kilograms you lifted at today’s training approximately?

- My today’s index must be 20 tons. I haven’t trained so much in a long time.

- Do you remember your first Olympic Games?

- The 2012 Olympics, where Hripsime Khurshudyan took part. We all couldn’t wait for her to win a medal.

- What sets Olympic Games apart from all other tournaments?

- Not all athletes manage to participate in Olympic Games.
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- What do you know about Rio?

- It is one of my favourite cities, I always dreamed to visit it and see the carnival. I think it’s an exciting and colourful city.

- Which famous athlete would you like to meet in Rio?

- I always wanted to meet famous Spanish athlete Lidia Valentín, and I got to meet her at last year’s World Championship.

- What do you always keep in your purse?

- Headphones.

- What kind of music do you listen to?

- I listen to Rihanna’s songs a lot, I like them all.

- What don’t people know about you?

- I love to spend all day in kitchen.

- If you had USD 1 million, what would you spend it on?

- I would spend it the way I spend money I have now. I never cared much about it.
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- If you found yourself on an uninhabited island, what 3 thing would you like to have?

- A very big book to read all the time (laughs - edit.).

- Who are you friends with from our athletes?

- I became close friends with boxer Anush Grigoryan during Youth Olympic Games.

- When you hear our anthem, you always…

- Get goosebumps, and I am happy that our athletes succeed and introduce the whole world to our small country.

- There is no victory without…

- A fight.

Hasmik Babayan talked to Sona Poghosyan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan

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