YEREVAN, November 22 (Noyan Tapan). According to the Public Relations Department of the RA National Assembly, on November 18, RA NA Chairman Artur Baghdasarian received Grigor Mikaelian, Mark Grigorian, leaders of the Armenian Karate Committee, and members of the national karate team. G. Mikaelian presented the successes of the Armenian national karate team of the recent years: the team, which is the twice cup-holder of the World Cup, won 20 gold medals, eight silver medals and five bronze medals at the 40th International Karate Championship held in Los Angeles in October 2004. The Armenian national team was recognized the first and was awarded with the gold medal of the International Karate Association. It was mentioned that the Armenian sportsmen aroused the interest of the Japanese, who expressed readiness to contribute to the establishment of the Center of Eastern Single Combats in Armenia. A. Baghdasarian, congratulating members of tbe national team, mentioned that their brilliant victories are distingushed among the general failure of the Armenian sport. The RA NA Chairman awarded the leaders of the Armenian Karate Federation with the diplomas of the National Assembly for sport victories, as well as he allocated 1 mln drams (about 2,000 dollars) to the Federation from its fund for encouraging the sportsmen and caring the needs of the Federation.

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