Levon Aghasyan: You become a better athlete at Olympics
Armenian athletics team will bring 5 athletes to the Olympic Games. One of them is triple jumper Levon Aghasyan. Mediamax Sport reveals him today.
- Levon, how did you win the Olympic quota?
- It was a bit difficult. Not the jumping part, but how I got there. It was difficult because of many failures and injuries.
- You’re a hope of our athletics. What should we expect from you in Rio?
- I am the one with most expectations from me in Rio. I should perform very well, although I cannot promise any certain result.
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- What does one need to succeed in athletics?
- The most important thing is brain work, the skill to imagine, and understanding of what you need, what your strong and weak points are.
- Who is your role model in sports?
- Robert Emmiyan is the best athlete in the world to me, because he achieved the best results, among other Armenian athletes as well.
- Athletics is one of the most beautiful sports. How did you choose it and gain success?
- I found myself in athletics at age 10. My uncle took me to a training. I trained and trained, took part in a competition 5 days later and got great results.
- Lots of athletes will participate in the Olympics this year. What do you think is the secret of such success?
- We all felt hunger for sport achievements, it drove us forwards. We wanted to get good results. Amalik (Amalia Sharoyan - edit.) won the first quota, and we followed her example.
- What is the biggest challenge in athletics, which you have to overcome every day?
- Keeping focus and constantly convincing yourself that all will be fine.
- Do you remember the first Olympic Games you followed?
- It was 2008 Olympics in Beijing. I know all athletes’ results by heart. How could I miss our athletes’ performances? I followed them too.
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- What do you like the best in Olympic Games?
- The atmosphere. When you feel the audience’s support and passion during the games, you become a different person. Your sport level instantly goes up, you feel like a better athlete.
- What sport would you choose if you were a Brazilian?
- I like all sports, I don’t think I can single out any of them (laughs - edit.).
- What Olympic champion would you like to meet?
- Naturally, a record-holder in my sport - athletics - Jonathan Edwards, as well as athletes with great results. I would ask them for advice.
- What do you do if you’re not in the mood for training but you have to work?
- You need to rest and get away from it all. If you picked this sport and you belong there, you will definitely want to come back. If not, then obviously you’ll leave.
- You’re from Syunik marz. What is your favourite place there?
- My birthplace Kapan, because I spent my childhood there, and I have a connection to that place.
- What is your phone ringtone now?
- Aerials by System of a Down.
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- Name 3 athletes you think are the most legendary.
- Michael Phelps, Pelé, and Sergey Bubka.
- Your favourite cartoon.
- Despicable Me.
- Please finish the sentences. What I value in people the most is…
- being human.
- I was named Levon…
- after my grandfather.
- For me, Olympic medal is…
- more than anyone can imagine.
- The difficulty of athletics…
- isn’t easy to understand.
Hasmik Babayan talked to Levon Aghasyan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
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