Silver medalist of the Olympic Games Gor Minasyan is among Armenia’s top athletes. Representing his country at a high level and winning medals is a regular part of Gor’s job.
In 2019, Minasyan won his second consecutive silver medal in the World Championship and made a drastic increase of the weight he lifted.
The weightlifter has summed up the season and talked about his plans for 2020 with Mediamax Sport.
Photo: Mediamax
Disrupted plans for European Championship
I started preparing for the European Championship after the national tournament. I was in a good form and everything was fine until the last training session, when I injured my foot.
I didn’t train at all for about two weeks before going to the European Championship. I aimed to earn an Olympic quota.
I won the bronze for snatch, but I didn’t take the risk in clean and jerk and declined the third attempt. If not for the injury, I would perform better, because I had trained hard. At that time, however, the only thing on my mind was the quota.
Photo: Mediamax
Competent work bears good results
I definitely knew I would be ready for the World Championship after the European tournament. I rested for about 15 days and left the injury where it belonged – in the past.
We had great training camps for 4-5 months. I corrected my mistakes in clean and jerk and the competent work with the coaches bore result. I’ve always been better at snatch. It’s the same with every weightlifter. You don’t choose to be better at one exercise, it is just that way.
Photo: Mediamax
I have made tangible progress. We’ll keep working with the same pace to prepare for the Olympics.
I wanted to lift more in the World Championship, but after a consultation with the coaches, I changed the weight from 215kg to 212kg. It was the correct decision.
Success comes from competent work and long training hours. After the European Championship, I had to prove that the injury was the only reason I didn’t perform at my usual standard.
Photo: Mediamax
Using all attempts and winning the silver
I was 100% ready for the World Championship. No nerves, no anxiety. I was confident I would reach my goals. As soon as it was confirmed I earned a medal, I used the remaining attempts to just improve my result. I used all six attempts in Pattaya.
Photo: Mediamax
It’s great to know that you got something for the hard work that you and your coaches did. We always strive to improve, because we want to bring medals from every tournament.
Start with the weight you lifted last in the training
My mind goes blank during the competitions. The focus is fully on the weight I have to lift. I can’t hear anything, including my coaches’ instruction, and I just lift the weight. I can’t explain how it happens.
Curiously, I always lift more in the competition than during the training. Even my coaches can’t explain it. It is the opposite with some athletes, but I always lift more during the tournaments.
Photo: Mediamax
I think that confidence might the secret, because I feel very certain of my abilities in any tournament. Also, I am in my best form when it is time to compete.
Successful season and new goals
Minus the European Championship, I consider this year to be successful, as I won a medal in the World Championship and I am close to competing in the Olympics.
I will participate in a tournament in Qatar to conclude the year and in 2020 I’ll go to the European Championship. Both tournaments are qualifying, so it’s important to get good results.
Photo: Mediamax
However, the most important goal is to compete in the Olympic Games. I will start preparing in January.
Gohar Nalbandyan talked to Gor Minasyan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
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