CHAMPIONSHIP IN BAKU IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE

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[06:56 pm] 13 September, 2007

The Armenian national team faces serious problems in regard with the
World Wrestling Championship launching in Baku on 16 September. Gagik
Tsarukyan, Head of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia
prioritizes this tournament more than the Olympic Games.

"This is not a common tournament. Each athlete should realize the
importance of representing Armenia. They should know that the whole
Armenian nation supports them. Only the best athletes should compete
in the tournament. I do not want any athlete to be defeated on that
land. That will be considered not only your failure but the failure of
the whole nation", said Mr Tsarukyan to the athletes, adding that our
wrestlers would receive valuable prizes if they returned with triumph.

Armenian representatives have not participated in any championship
in Azerbaijan for 20 years. Now the situation has altered, since
the Azerbaijani President has guaranteed the security of our
wrestlers. Besides many representative of international structures
will be present during the tournament and thousands of mass media
representatives will elucidate the championship.

Hrant Yenokyan, the chief coach of the Armenian national team in
freestyle wrestling said: "It is impossible to win in all categories,
but the boys are ready to fight till the end".

Levon Julfakyan, the chief coach of Greek-Roman style noticed that all
the best athletes would compete during the Championship. "The athletes
who achieved success in a number of international tournaments during
the last 2-3 years are involved in the national team".

The Armenian delegation will leave for Baku on 15 September headed
by Razmik Stepanyan. "31 people are in our delegation, 14 of them
are the athletes. Since the Greek-Roman style will compete first in
the Championship, then the free-style, our delegation will leave in
two groups", said Stepanyan.