European Youth Judo Championship to start in Yerevan on
September 11
04-09-2009 19:00:00 | Armenia | Sport
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Youth Judo
Championship will be held at Yerevan's Sport and Concert Complex
on September 11-13. Earlier, on August 20 the RA Judo Federation
gave a press conference in this connection. RA Deputy Minister
of Sport Samvel Khachatrain told reporters that 40 countries
have submitted bids for participation, which is a record number
in the history of European youth championships.
President of the RA Judo Federation Alexan Avetisian said
that the teams of Albania, Ireland and Wales will participate in
the European championship for the first time. Azerbaijan has
also submitted a bid for participation. The names of all
Azerbaijani judo wrestlers to compete in 8 weight classes are
known. A. Avetisian said that Armenia is ready to ensure
security of judoists from Azerbaijan and the other countries.
The number of judoists exceeds 200, and they will be accompanied
by coaches, referees and other members of their delegations.
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is the chairman of the
governmental organizing committee.
Judo started to gain popularity in Armenia in 1992 when
Alexan Avetisian was elected president of the RA Judo
Federation. Thanks to his efforts the Under-23 Judo Championship
held in Yerevan in 2003 was a success, with Armenian judoists
winning one gold, one silver and 5 bronze medals.