European Youth Judo Championship to start in Yerevan on September 11

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.