Sports Division Champions
We are celebrating the anniversary of the Armenian Army again. For the past 24 years, different generations have felt the honor of being a soldier on their shoulders and the responsibility which is not so easy.
Mediamax Sport visited sports division and spent an unforgettable day there. We got acquainted to their peculiarities with lieutenant colonel Varuzhan Grigoryan and 5 best sportsmen.
Athletes feel the honor of being solders
Best sportsmen in Armenia serve in sport division, who had reached a lot of success in international sphere. But they are quite a lot different from what we are used to seeing in the field.
They are solders and they realize the responsibility of it. Of course they don’t spend the whole year as solders but they are still sport division solders and they inspire solders at the border with their victories and success.
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European silver and Youth Olympic Games bronze medalist Smbat Sargsyan was sent to the army at the same day as his brother.
“It’s obvious that we can’t compare those two. I spend most of the year on visits and have very little time to realize the solder’s main responsibility towards the country”, says Margaryan.
The winner of International World Student Games and the World Cup Artur Tovmasyan thinks it’s great that the athletes are able to serve and continue training at the same time.
“I know what it’s like to be a solder. We are able to take part in competitions and are free in sports division. It’s very important to us. But whenever we are here, we feel like a real solder”.
Judoca and European bronze medalist Shahen Abaghyan thinks it’s a great honor to serve in the army.
Solder-sportsmen also took part in 6th Military World Games in South Korea. Greco-Roman wrestler Karen Aslanyan became the second and Sargis Grigoryan- the third.
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The wrestlers prize the experience that they got from the tournament very highly.
Everyone should be a solder in Armenia, including athletes
CSKA recalls with pride that a lot of World and Europe champions and Olympic Games participants have been their solders.
Solders who are allowed to serve at CSKA of Defense Ministry are those who were at least the second at a European Championship and the sixth at a World Championship and also those who are the best in Armenia but don’t take part in those tournaments.
Athletes representing 16 sport disciplines are representing Armed Forces and they gained 165 medals in 2015.
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“Prior to tournaments or trainings the sportsmen are sent to the national teams. At other times, they have to stay and serve. We only have 2 trainers currently who conduct trainings but we are planning on hiring new ones”, said the head of CSKA, Varuzhan Grigoryan.
Grigoryan says that they are improving sport facilities day by day. They redecorated the stadiums in 2015 and plan on doing work on the pool.
10 athletes are chosen in sport division every year. The election criteria is the success of the current year. The head of CSKA noted that a good sportsmen cannot be a bad solder or a bad person.
“These guys are the solders of Armenia apart from being sportsmen. That’s why they put on their uniform with pride and serve this country. Of course, they are different from solders at the border but they find a way to support Armenia in international field”.
Varuzhan Grigoryan had been a free style wrestler until 1988, then he became a trainer and has been serving for over 22 years now.
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“You can be an athlete until 30-35 years old but you have to be solder in Armenia since you are born. This should be acknowledged not only by athletes but all Armenians. I congratulate all soldiers, particularly, the ones that are serving at the border. I wish a smooth service and hope they will return home soon and we can be proud of our army”, concludes the Lieutenant Colonel.
Strength, enthusiasm and patience to Armenian solders
The year will be quite filled for our solder-athletes. They have put new goals that they have to achieve and try to add to their success. Although they will spend little time at the division, they will try to make up by succeeding in international field.
“We are grateful to our brothers, friends for serving at the border and keeping it safe”, says Smbat Margaryan.
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Artur Tovmasyan wishes the solders to serve safe and go home as soon as possible.
“Thanks to them, we are able to serve safely now. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to live safe and calm. We are grateful”.
Karen, Sargis and Shahen know very well what it takes to be a good sportsman. Firstly, it’s Strength, enthusiasm and patience : and they wish that those, thanks to whom Armenian army has always been and will be never lack strength, enthusiasm and patience.
Gohar Nalbandyan, Hasmik Babayan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan