2 years ago Hrachik Babayan took part in Junior Olympic Games and came back with a medal. Now he’s getting ready to take part in the 31st Summer Olympic Games; MediamaxSport presents him in its Olympic section.
-It’s every athletes dream to take part in the Olympic Games. How did you feel when you won your quota place?
-I learned about my quota place during the European Championship. Firstly, it is a great responsibility. I want to show my best result in Rio.
-What will you bring to our Olympic team?
-As Olympic champion Hrachya Petikyan says, festivity will be present during shooting competition.
Hrachik BabayanPhoto: Mediamax
-You struggle against yourself during your training. How do you motivate yourself?
-The most difficult thing in shooting is overcoming psychological aspect. It will be my first games in Rio, so nervousness is bound to happen. It will be success to even get to finals.
-You took part in Junior Olympic Games and won a silver medal. What are some of the memories?
-It was a real festivity and the participants were enjoying it. I took part in a lot of competitions but I only miss the Olympic Games (laughs).
- How is shooting like other sports?
-As in some other sports, shooters have no competition. We struggle against ourselves. Winning ourselves we show results that compete with other participants’ results.
-There are 32 athletes in Armenian Olympic team? Who are you friends with the most?
-I took part in Junior Olympic Games with Simon Martirosyan and Vahan Mkhitaryan
-Do you remember the first Olympic Games that you watched?
-I’ve been training since 2010 and watched Norayr Bakhtamyan in London Olympics 2012. As well as my trainer Arthur Ayvazyan, who is my brother, took part in Olympics (representing Ukraine) and won.
Hrachik BabayanPhoto: Mediamax
-What would you like to do in Rio apart from taking part in the games
-I would like to take part in carnival. Go see the statue of Jesus and go to the beach as I have never been to one.
-The flight to Brazil takes really long. How are you planning on entertaining yourself?
-As I’m not supposed to watch a movie or read, because it will put a strain on my eyes, I guess I’ll just be tortured (laughs)
-Hrachik. Who served as an example to you?
-Arthur Ayvazyan and Hrachik Petikyan
-If you were ever given a chance to interview 3 famous athletes who will they be?
-The Chinese (laughs). I can’t understand their phenomenon, they are unbelievable. I want to know their secret.
-What do you think gives a specific charm to Yerevan?
-Mount Ararat. When the weather is good and it is showing, you can look at it for hours. It is an unexplainable scene.
-What would you bring to an uninhabited island?
-My gun, car and brother
Hrachik BabayanPhoto: Mediamax
-At last, please finish the sentences. Only in Armenia...
-You can use the word “jan”. It cannot be translated to other languages. It’s a magical word. I love it.
-I was named Hrachik....
-by my grandmother and grandfather.
-You never know where....
-the bullet will end up
-Without imagination....
-it’s impossible to reach success.
- Before the Olympics....
- One should rest properly
Hasmik Babayan talked to Hrachik Babayan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
The partner of the project 
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