Martin Berberyan, a Freestyle Wrestler, Master of Sport of International Class, was one of leading sportsmen of Armenia in late 90s and early 2000s. He was included in the Armenia national team and participated in three Olympic Games: Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008 ), won a bronze medal in the World Championships, European Championships, a World Junior Championships silver medalist, and a European champion. Until 2004, he acted in 55 kg weight class, and then moved up to 60 kg. In 2006, Martin traveled to the U.S. and settled there permanently. Today, Aravot.am had a interview with Martin Berberyan.
– People are leaving Armenia “offendedly”. Were you also offended once? -No. In my case, nothing like that happened to me. Thank God! I was practicing my favorite sport in Armenia, and achieved quite success in the international mats. By the standards of those times, I was using the best conditions of the training, and participated in the highest level competitions. Simply, my future wife, Rusanna, was living in America. I came here, we got married and moved to California.
– It was in 2006. But, since then you were still closely connected with Armenia. – Yes. Before Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, I was involved in the Armenian National Team, and participated in all competitions.
– Have you left sports?
– No. Until 2012, I was training and taking part in competitions. I have become a champion of California, I was in the American team. But, last year I got a knee injury at the America’s Cup finals and was undergone surgery. After that, I started to train, mainly in “SK Golden Boys” club. I’m also training wrestlers of other clubs. I am also working with the American team. Now, I have resumed my training.
– You have two wonderful daughters. Do they go in for sports?
– My elder daughter is practicing gymnastics, my younger daughter is 1.5 years old. – Do you miss Armenia? – Every year I visit Armenia with my family. – After 11 years of break, Armenia had a freestyle wrestling world champion, David Safaryan, who was recognized by the sports journalists of Armenia as Armenia’s best sportsman in 2013. –David deserved to lead Armenia’s the best ten sportsmen. This year, he showed the results that no one was even closer to it. Congratulations to David.
Ashot HAKOBYAN
