In One Shot: 5 world champions in one year

Armenian athletes from Soviet Union team brought 5 gold medals from World Championships in 1983.

Armenian world champions of the year were gymnast Artur Hakobyan, Greco-Roman wrestler Benur Pashayan, weightlifter Ogsen Mirzoyan, Yuri Sargsyan and Yuri Vardanyan.

This edition of Mediamax Sport’s In One Shot series is dedicated to the picture from their evening of honor. The picture was provided by Museum of Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture. The first from right is Pashayan and the 4th is Mirzoyan. Sargsyan is standing with the cup in his hand and Vardanyan is the 2nd from left.

1983 World Weightlifting Championship was supposed to be organized in Yerevan, though it was held in Moscow for various reasons.

Soviet Union team also involved Armenian weightlifters, who took first places in the competition. Ogsen Mirzoyan was invincible in 56kg weight category and Yuri Sargsyan in 60kg. One of the most popular weightlifters of the time Yuri Vardanyan took the gold again in 82,5kg weight category.

The athletes told that Head Coach of the Bulgarian team Ivan Abadjiev approached Armenia’s Coach Arsen Galoyan and asked whether there would be Armenians in other weight categories as well. Having received the negative response, he said in relief: “Thank God”.

The same year World Wrestling Championship was held in Kiev with Greco-Roman wrestler Benur Pashayan winning the gold medal. His competitor was Turk Erol Kemah, whom Pashayan defeated, becoming a world champion. In 1983 Pashayan was recognized the Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year by International Wrestling Federation.

1983 was a successful year for gymnast Artur Hakobyan as well. He was involved in Soviet Union team and participated in World Championship. In addition to the silver in team and bronze in individual (all-around) competitions, he won a gold medal. He was the best on vault and became a world champion that year.