In 2018, I started to photograph sport trainings and competitions all around Armenia. I focused on the most traditional and popular post-soviet sports such as wrestling, weightlifting and gymnastics. My goal was to visualize the obsession of Armenian sportsmen and understand the meaning behind.
Gagik Xacikyan, multiple youth champion of athletics, is waiting for his daily training in one of the oldest gyms named after the olympic champion, Albert Azaryan. Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
This project follows the importance of sports in Armenian Youth culture, although also approaches themes like Manhood and the place of Man in Armenian society. Since the 2018 Velvet Revolution, sports has become a major source of representing strong positions in such society, creating great changes in the country’s structure. Armenian man must be strong, committed, respectful and persistent during the whole life path from child to man.
Aristak and his friends watching the trainer who is showing the exercise to the mixed aged group in the local wrestling school. Armavir, Armenia, 2018
A boy checking leg muscles before his exercise in a local weightlifting championship.
Gyumri, Armenia, 2018
Locals attend every regional championship to see unforgettable moments and cheer for their friends and family members. The most rewarding moment is when kids win medals in front of their trainers and beloved ones.
Gyumri, Armenia, 2018
Competitions are crucial for cadets. It is their opportunity to be noticed by coaches of the National Team. They take it very seriously and fight for their last breath.
Gyumri, Armenia, 2018
The relationship between coach and athletes are very strict and similar to a father-son relationship. They meet each other every day, and the coach usually accompany children throughout their careers. To teach a very talented athlete and win medals with him/her gives the opportunity to step up to the next level of hierarchy.
Gyumri, Armenia, 2018
A boxer after losing a match at the annually held National Box Championship in Dynamo Sport Club.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
Coaches usually work in small groups in order to pay closer attention to the youngsters. They usually spend all day in the gym. Ashot Gasparyan, senior coach at Albert Azaryan Gymnastic School is showing them how to do an exercise correctly.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
Next to the Nuclear Power Plant of the country, Metsamor Sport Complex was supposed to be built as the center of sport in 1980. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the government changed plans, and built another Olympic complex in Tsaghkadzor. The complex has not been renovated since. However, trainings never stopped.
Metsamor, Armenia, 2018
A bunch of kids arrive for training in an old Lada. Their trainer, Gagik Xegiazaryan, collected them at different points of the village and drove them to the sports complex.
Metsamor, Armenia, 2018
Children usually start training at an early age and are very enthusiastic while listening to their coach. The village Ararat is quite famous of its box club.
Ararat, Armenia, 2018
A boy having a break and preparing for the next lift up in a school gym in Yerevan.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
In rural areas trainings are the only community programs after school.
Metsamor, Armenia, 2018
Almost in every town you can find the Olympic sign that proudly proclaims the success of Armenian sport culture.
Gyumri, Armenia, 2018
Weightlifters rolling a piece of truck tire at Spartak Sport School, one of the oldest facilities in the country.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
Preparing for box training on the corridor of Ararat Box Club.
Ararat, Armenia, 2018
Garni, Armenia, 2018
Armenia Sports Union, formerly known as Spartak, is one of the first sports associations in Yerevan mainly involved in individual Olympic sports. It has an outdoor pitch filled with students everyday.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
He is Robert Gyulumyan, 12 years old multiple champions in gymnastics. Everyone calls him Maugl because he can do extraordinary jumps and exercises with his body. Maugli trains every day 5-6 hours in the Hrant Shahinyan Sport School in Yerevan. He is one of the biggest hopes in Armenian Gymnastics.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018
A boy is warming up his leg muscles after his round on a regional weightlifting championship.
Gyumri, Armenia, 2018
A member of the National Gymnastics Team finishing his training.
Yerevan, Armenia, 2018