Borderline, frontline… Gevorg Gharibyan, a new Greco-Roman wrestler and new European champion, visited the place of service of the strong and dedicated boys on combat duty.

“This is one of the most important days of my life. The meeting with the soldiers on duty is not only inspiring but also obligatory for me,” says the champion;

In this position so close to the adversary, in a high and isolated position, who could have encouraged the boys who were already friends of the mountains and hills, if not Eurpean champion who won over his rivals, including Azerbaijani and Turkish wrestlers?

“Gevorg jan, when you defeated the Turk you should have seen how the soldiers rejoiced. The boys’ voices covered the whole area,” says the chief of the position before even getting acquainted with the athlete.

“That fight was a matter of principle for me in several respects, and I won. And your contribution to my victory is also a big one, because you ensure the peace of our country every day, standing here on the border, and we were obliged to win on our “battlefield” and raise the Tricolor.

In February of this year, in the final of the European Championship in Rome, Gevorg Gharibyan defeated Turkish wrestler Kerem Kamal in the 60 kg weight class with a technical trick and won the title of European champion. And in the quarterfinals, the Armenian athlete had an obvious advantage and won an early victory over the Azerbaijani wrestler. Gevorg presented his victory to the Armenian army.

“When I stood on the pedestal, I realized that my victory was yours, dear boys, you are our real heroes today,” said our hero, addressing the guards.

The European champion inspires our soldiers fighting in the trenches of the homeland by holding the Armenian flag high above the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey. He promised to give them all the next victories.

By LAUA MAMYAN

Photos by SIPAN GYULUMYAN