Armenian wushu athletes won 37 medals at the Batumi Open International Wushu Championship, held July 30 to August 4 in Batumi, Georgia, according to the Traditional Wushu Federation of Armenia.
The federation sent a 44-member delegation, including 36 athletes, 6 competing in taolu and 30 in sanda. The team took 27 medals in sanda and 10 in taolu.
In the junior taolu events, Artashes Alaverdyan placed first in Nandao (sword), second in Double Daggers, and third in Choy Li Fut (fist techniques). Alisa Aleksandrovskaya finished second in both Double Daggers and Choy Li Fut. Arvani Rudova placed second in Changquan 32.
Among younger competitors, Gevorg Parsadanyan took first in Nangun (staff) and Nandao and second in Nanquan (fist techniques). Mels Aidinyan finished third in Daoshu (sword).
In the adult sanda competition, Zhirayr Petrosyan placed third at 56 kg, Ruben Margaryan third at 65 kg, and Davit Vardanyan won the 70 kg category.
In the youth competition, Davit Hovhannisyan took first at 52 kg and Rafael Arakelyan finished third in the same category.
Among juniors, Andranik Khosrovyan placed second at 36 kg and Arsen Simonyan third. Seryozha Asatryan won at 39 kg, with Tigran Chilingaryan second. Eduard Sargsyan took second at 42 kg and Samvel Tadevosyan third. Grisha Alikhanyan won at 45 kg, with Alen Davtyan second. Tigran Melkonyan won at 48 kg, with Karo Baghramyan third. Sargis Yeritsyan took second at 52 kg. Pavel Mangasaryan won at 60 kg. Mikayel Alaverdyan at 68 kg and Zhora Hovhannisyan at 72 kg also claimed first.
In the 9 to 11 age group, Arman Terzikyan won at 26 kg and Ashot Tadevosyan placed third at 28 kg. Artyom Yeghiazaryan won at 30 kg, with Ararat Isoyan second. Mher Navasardyan and Robert Poghosyan both placed third at 34 kg. Among 7 and 8 year olds, Mher Darbinyan won at 26 kg and Tigran Poghosyan took first at 32 kg.
The championship was officiated in part by four Armenian referees: Aram Aidinyan and Tanya Hovhannisyan in taolu, and Gor Terzikyan and Valer Simonyan in sanda.
The Traditional Wushu Federation of Armenia, founded in 1992, governs the sport nationally and is a member of the International and European Wushu Federations. In 2001, Armenia hosted the 6th World Wushu Championships in Yerevan, which drew competitors from 41 countries.
