19-year-old Arsen Harutyunyan has been brilliant in European Championship in Bucharest, winning the gold medal.
The young wrestler shined in all his matches, although this was his first championship at a senior level. He demonstrated strong mentality by not backing down despite losing 0-8 in the first part of the final match. Harutyunyan’s will and skills gave him the 17-11 victory over Beka Lomtadze (Georgia).
Mediamax Sport has talked to the wrestler afterwards about his experience in Bucharest and the challenges he faced.
“I still can’t believe I won the title and it’s at the senior level. I think I will fully comprehend it when I return to Armenia.
Every time I stepped on the mat, I knew what to do, I had a clear strategy. I tired my opponents out and then attacked.
It went in a bit different way in the final. I did not expect Lomtadze to take 8 points from me, but I managed to pull myself together and follow the plan.
The hardest fight was the semi-final against Nikolai Okhlopkov, the Romanian athlete. This is his country, the support is huge for him, so I was wary of that but I fought till the end and won.
The coaches in the junior team told me I had to win, and I got great advice from European championship, Greco-Roman wrestler Roman Amoyan. It really helped. He told to go out to the mat and do what I came for. I am so thankful to him for supporting me.
I have received so many congratulations that I haven’t even managed to answer them all. I haven’t even talked to my family!
My next goal is to win, no matter if the tournament is at the junior or senior level. I will compete where the coaches believe I can compete,” said Harutyunyan.
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