We met Andranik Karapetyan near the statue of Komitas in Etchmiadzin, from where we began exploring his beloved city.
Within the framework of Paris-2024 series, we walked and talked with our weightlifter in the area of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin.
Photo: Mediamax
Date of birth: December 15, 1995, in Yerevan.
Sport: Weightlifting (89 kg).
Marital status: Married, has a son.
Favorite activity: Spending time with family.
Personal coach: His brother, Artur Karapetyan.
Education: Studied at the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture.
The uniqueness of weightlifting: The word already defines itself: hard battle, struggle. I love that fight. At a young age, lifting even one kilogram was so important that it was like a holiday for me.
Photo: Mediamax
Most impressive career achievement: Becoming the Adult European champion and winning the gold medals of the Junior European Championship and National Championship.
The hardest moment in career: Missing a medal at the Rio Olympics, and subsequently being unable to participate in further competitions due to the injury I sustained there. If it weren’t for that fracture, my career would have taken a different course. Overcoming the disappointment was incredibly difficult. At that point, I couldn’t even think about training again. At that time, even strangers wrote to me constantly, saying that they were praying for me, wishing a speedy recovery. Their support gave me strength and made me realize that I should resume training and continue to be useful to my country.
The return: Exactly one year after the Olympics, I participated in the Student Games and lifted one kilogram less than what caused me to break my arm at the Olympic Games. Everything has passed, and I prefer not to dwell on the past. Now my focus is on upcoming performances I need to prepare for them diligently.
Photo: Mediamax
Second Olympic Games: I was close to a medal in 2016, let’s hope that everything will turn out better in Paris. It is true that the struggle will be very hard, but God is with us.
- Your greatest joy recently.
- The birth of my son and holding the European Weightlifting Championship in Armenia. I performed well, became a medalist, setting a new European Championship record in the snatch exercise. I stepped onto the platform feeling as though the whole world was mine.
- What do you value most in people?
- Mutual respect.
Photo: Mediamax
- What is happiness?
- Living with your family under a peaceful sky.
- What makes you confident?
- The strength of my family, people.
- Characterize yourself.
- I am a calm and unexplosive person.
Photo: Mediamax
- What are you most grateful for?
- I thank God that I was born Armenian and chose the path of sports. Thanks to that, I have been useful to my country in some way.
- Andranik, what do you need to go to the Olympic Games?
- Put everything aside and get ready. If you have won a ticket, you must represent your country properly.
- What was the most unique Olympic Games for you?
- Brazil games. Hopefully Paris will be special with a medal won.
Photo: Mediamax
- When you say Paris in general, what comes to your mind first?
- The Eiffel Tower
- What do you know in French?
- I studied French at school and I know the language to some extent.
Photo: Mediamax
- Do you remember the first Olympic Games that you watched on TV?
- The 2008 Beijing Games. After that, I started practicing even more enthusiastically. I wanted to participate in the next games. Perhaps that’s how the aspiration was instilled in me, I also dreamed of victory.
Photo: Mediamax
- If you had the chance, which Olympic Games would you participate in?
- I don’t like going back, I have to look forward. The important thing for me now is the Paris Games.
Photo: Mediamax
- What does victory consist of?
- Hard work, good training.
- What is the Armenian Olympic team like?
- Being qualified is not an easy thing. If my teammates have achieved it, then any of us can qualify for a medal. I wish everyone to perform without troubles, I know that their ultimate goal is the Olympic Games. God willing, the most cherished wishes will come true in Paris.
Photo: Mediamax
Andranik Karapetyan is a 2015 World bronze medalist
2016 European champion
Vice-champion of the 2017 Student Games
Bronze medalist at the European Championships in 2015, 2021 and 2023
He participated in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Gohar Nalbandyan spoke with Andranik Karapetyan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
Translated by Diana Manukyan
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