Armenian Judoka Released from Azerbaijan

Emil Lazarian 2021
May 7 2021


In the past armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, among those taken prisoners was a young Armenian judoka, the 19-year-old Robert Vardanyan. Following a call for help from the Armenian Judo Federation, President Marius Vizer, reacted promptly and without hesitation.
The International Judo Federation is happy to announce that the young judoka has now returned home his family safely, due to the generosity of His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.
We would like to express our deep gratitude to President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev – and the Azerbaijan judo family.
Once again, Judo proved to be an incredible tool against war and conflict situations, and the release of the young judoka is proof of the power and high moral values that our sport is carrying, surpassing any conflict and animosity. The solidarity and the unity of the International Judo Family has no borders, and we are all united by the common goal of mutual aid and prosperity.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS