International junior tournament to host Armenian Greco-Roman wrestlers

PanARMENIAN.Net - Head coach of Armenian junior Greco-Roman wrestling team Armen Babalaryan praised his squad’s performance at World Championships in Romania.

At Bucharest–hosted FILA Junior World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships, Narek Khachatryan (55 kg) and Rafik Manukyan (74 kg) won gold, while Rudik Mkrtchyan (50 kg) gained a bronze medal.

“Armenian team was up against a very strong competition, which did not prevent it from showing very good results. Left foot injury gave Rafik Manukyan a lot of trouble. In championship finals, he felt pain in his right foot too, yet the sportsman bore it up to win the gold. Manukyan has experience participating in a number of international tournaments and I wish him all the luck in adult championships,” the coach said in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“Last year, Rudik Mkrtchyan won European Junior Championship silver and gained the 5th place at European Championship,” Babalaryan noted.

In September, the junior team will participate in Georgia-hosted international tournament along with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. Starting August 31, the Armenian squad will have the last team practice session before FILA Wrestling World Championships in Istanbul.

Changes in junior team composition are planned, with several wresters to be transferred to Armenian national team.