Armenia’s Olympic medal winners from left: Arsen Julfalakian (silver), Hripsime Khurshudyan (bronze) and eightlifting; and Arthur Aleksanyan (bronze)

BY VAN DER MEGERDICHIAN

When it comes to the Olympics, Armenian athletes have a long and rich history in competing and excelling in individual events, including weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, judo and shooting.

This year at the 2012 London Olympics, Armenia participated with 25 athletes in nine Olympic sports. In the Track and Field competition, Armenia was represented by four athletes, and Boxing, Gymnastics, Shooting, and Tae Kwon Do, each had one Armenian athlete.  Judo and Swimming had two Armenian athletes while Weightlifting included six athletes.

Among the weightlifters, Hripsime Khurshudyan collected Armenia’s first medal in London, a bronze. Wrestling had the largest amount of Armenian athletes, seven, and two of those athletes medaled. Arsen Julfalakyan earned the silver in Men’s Greco-Roman 74kg and Artur Aleksanyan won the bronze in Men’s Greco –Roman 96kg. The red blue and orange ended the Summer Games with three medals.

Another Armenian, Arsen Galstyan representing Russia won that country’s first gold medal in the Men’s 60kg judo. Misha Aloyan and David Ayrapetyan won bronze medals in boxing, again for Russia. Also, Coach Adam Krikorian led the United States women’s water polo team to its first ever Olympic gold medal. Armenia ended the Olympics ranking 52nd among the 204 countries participating, finishing ahead of countries such as Belgium, Finland, Greece, and Portugal.

Van Der Megerdichian is a sophomore at Ferrahian high school. He is a regular contributor to Asbarez.