Since gymnast Vahagn Davtyan also works at the Yerevan Municipality, we decided to explore that area of the city with him.
As part of our Paris-2024 series, let’s discover the beautiful and historical places of Yerevan with Davtyan.
Photo: Mediamax
Date of birth: August 29, 1988, in Yerevan.
Sport: Gymnast (rings).
Marital status: Married.
Personal coach: We work as a team: the national team’s head coach Hakob Serobyan, youth coach Hayk Nazaryan, Harutyun Merdinyan.
Education and work: I studied at the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture. Now I work as the deputy head of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department at the Yerevan Municipality.
Choosing rings: Gymnastics consists of six apparatuses. You cannot wake up one day and decide to specialize in one of them. From a young age, we practice on all apparatuses. Eventually, your physical characteristics will dictate which one you excel at the most.
Photo: Mediamax
Most impressive career achievement: Every tournament where I stood on the podium left a unique and lasting impression on me.
The heaviest defeat: I take any defeat hard, because you prepare for months, endure injuries and suddenly you cannot use the one opportunity you have.
The most recent ranking: First of all, it was difficult from a psychological point of view, but thanks to our team and coaches, we were able to qualify. This achievement is not just mine; it belongs to the whole team. They gave me the strength.
First Olympic Games: I do not feel anything special, because I prepare seriously for all competitions and always do my best. The same approach applies to the Olympic Games. We’ll see what happens in Paris.
Photo: Mediamax
- Vahagn, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
- I prefer not to disclose my weaknesses. My strength is that I am not someone who easily adapts and a person who gives up.
- What do you value most in people?
- Sincerity and loyalty.
- What is happiness for you?
- I can’t say it in one word. Perhaps living with honor, being surrounded by loved ones.
Photo: Mediamax
- What makes you confident?
- You are confident when you realize what you are doing and have a clear explanation for your steps.
- What are your favorite places in Yerevan?
- I have many favorite places, but mostly I will mention parks and green areas. I like nature, not buildings.
- Describe yourself in three words.
- Purposeful, kind, sociable.
- The most important achievement in life.
- My sports results. When you dedicate your entire life to a field and strive to achieve your goals, every accomplishment becomes important to you.
Photo: Mediamax
- Who are you most grateful to?
- I thank God for every morning I wake up.
- Important people in your life.
- My family members.
Photo: Mediamax
- Vahagn, what do you need to go to the Olympic Games?
- Determination, psychological preparation, good physical condition are important for all tournaments. It’s not that the European Championship requires one set of traits and the Olympic Games another.
-Three things that are special to Paris.
- I have been to Paris. It is a very interesting city. I will single out the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Champs-Élysées among the world-famous places.
Photo: Mediamax
- Your favorite French food?
- I will mention the French cheeses.
- Do you have a favorite French movie?
- Gerard Depardieu’s films.
- Do you remember the first Olympic Games that you watched on TV?
- It was the 2000 Sydney Games. I was young and just started doing gymnastics. We used to see legendary gymnasts, admire them and put posters on the walls of the rooms and dressing rooms. At that time, I was very, very far from professional sports and looked at it differently.
Photo: Mediamax
- Your favorite Olympic champion Armenian athlete.
- Hrant Shahinyan, the first Armenian champion in the modern Olympic Games, and Albert Azaryan, the three-time champion.
- And who will you mention from world sports?
- Swimmer Michael Phelps, gymnasts Simona Biles and Kohei Uchimura, athlete Usain Bolt.
Photo: Mediamax
- What is the Armenian Olympic team like?
- I have the impression that this Olympic team has more medal and championship contenders and is qualitatively better. I expect there will be more medals compared to previous years.
Photo: Mediamax
Vahagn Davtyan is a 2016 and 2023 European Games silver medalist, 2019 bronze medalist
Third prize winner of the 2019 European Games
Three-time World Cup winner
Double Absolute World Cup Winner
He will be participating in the Olympic Games for the first time.
Gohar Nalbandyan spoke with Vahagn Davtyan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
Translated by Diana Manukyan
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