Rio-2016 will be the second Olympic Games for European and World champion Davit Safaryan.
Mediamax Sport gladly presents one of the most titled athletes in Armenian freestyle wrestling.
- Davit, you didn’t manage to win Olympic quota in qualifying tournaments and got it after your opponent was disqualified. How did you receive the news?
- I felt bad after loosing, kind of empty. I came home and did nothing. One day Arayik Baghdadyan called to say I was going to the Olympics. To be honest, I didn’t believe him. I quickly opened the official website of the Wrestling Federation and saw that two wrestlers in my weight category got disqualified for doping. It was like a miracle, as if God gave me the quota. This is my big chance, and I do everything to perform well.
- I might be wrong, but there seemed to be a decline in your career after you won European and World championship in 2013.
- I agree. Everything was fine, but I got injured in 2014, and I couldn’t train for six months because of it. It’s difficult to recover after just a month of missed training, and six months is a long time. I couldn’t get back into routine then.
Davit SafaryanPhoto: Mediamax
- What conclusion did you come to in that difficult time?
- I realized that you have to work even harder after winning European and World championship. The wish to achieve more is the most important thing. You have to always strive for more, get into the training hall and fight till the end. It was hard for me after defeats, but now that is in the past, and I have to move forward.
- Let’s talk about your second Olympic Games. How do you mentally prepare for them?
- I looked at things differently in London, tried to feel Olympic spirit. I was ready, but I didn’t manage to win. It’s been four years, and I’ve gained huge experience. I will be more ready this time.
- What do you think Brazil is like?
- I really wanted to go there when I was little. Although, my main goal there is the Olympics, not beach or football. I have to note that when you perform well in a country, it becomes your favourite, you want to return there. I hope that Brazil will become my favourite country this summer.
- What do you associate with Brazil?
- Football, carnival, the statue of Jesus. I think it’s a fun country.
- Who is the most famous Brazilian?
- At the moment, Neymar, I think. Of course, we remember Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, Pelé, who isn’t my contemporary but is still famous.
- Do Armenian citizens need visa to go to Brazil?
- No.
- What Portuguese word do you know?
- Obrigado (thank you).
- What would you change in your life?
- Nothing. I would leave everything unchanged.
Davit SafaryanPhoto: Mediamax
- Tell four things people don’t know about you.
- I love football, both playing and watching. I like cola. I dream sometimes. I cannot live without a goal.
- What did wrestling give to you?
- Character, which matters the most. Will to achieve my goals in sport and life. I won’t be a sportsman forever, but I will need what it gave me. I think life is easy, if you went through a wrestling career.
- The last picture you made on your phone.
- Let me see. Here, I made a photo of a pillow (laughs - edit.). It’s my little nephew’s pillow, he’s training too and staying with me. My friends and I like to make funny pictures and send them to each other.
- Do you have a pet?
- No, but I decided to get a small dog.
- What Olympic athlete would you like to meet?
- Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Neymar.
- Davit, finish the sentences. If I were a Brazilian actor and played in a TV series…
- I’d play a bit part, so I wouldn’t have to work too much (laughs - edit.).
Davit SafaryanPhoto: Mediamax
- I am the most happy when…
- I hear that someone got better. No matter who, just that the sick person is healthy now.
- Music should be…
- Quality and constant.
- In Rio, I…
- Will try to become a champion.
Gohar Nalbandyan talked to Davit Safaryan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
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