Armenia's boxing team has five Olympians for first time everJuly 12, 2016 - 11:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's boxing team will have 5 participants in the 2016 Rio Olympics for the first time ever. Chief coach Karen Aghamalyan said such a result was surprising even for him. “To be honest, it was unexpected but, as they say, appetite comes with eating,” Armenia’s National Olympic Committee cited him as saying. “The guys did their best, and I am especially happy about [Hovhannes] Bachkov, who I was sure from the very beginning would qualify.” Bachkov (64kg) defeated Volodymyr Matviychuk from Ukraine at the APB/WSB Olympic Qualification Tournament in Venezuela to reach the finals and win an Olympic berth. In response to a question on whether it would be hard to fight against professionals who are also participating in the Olympics, Aghamalyan said: “I think professionals aren’t that good athletes. Bachkov’s victory is a vivid example. A number of world champions have failed to win Olympic medals on a number of occasions, so one needs sports luck to gain one." Photo` ANOC Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |