YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS: Members of Armenian national Greco-Roman wrestling team are preparing for World Wrestling championship which will be held in capital of Hungary Budapest In September 16-22. On this occasion “Armenpress” had an interview with head coach of the team, Olympic champion Levon Julfalakyan.

- Mr. Julfalakyan, our 13 Greco-Roman wrestlers have just returned from Belarus where they had a training session. What impressions do you have?

- I have the best impressions. We had ideal conditions. 60 wrestlers from Belarus, Germany, France, Serbia were training with us and we had opportunity to hold active trainings. We know each other very well and are considered as serious competitors.  

- Are you satisfied with the performance of our wrestlers during Kazan Universiad?

Armenian wrestlers gained four medals in Kazan which is a good result. But I have to inform that our wrestlers left for Kazan not in best conditions as our aim was World championship. Universiad was very serious competition and best theltes from different countries took part in it. It was a good experience.

- Arsen Julfalakyan was again defeated by Russian Roman Vlasov as in London.

There are not undefeated athletes in sports. Legendary Alexander Karelin’s example confirmed it. Of course Vlasov also is not undefeated. In order to beat him we must make corresponding conclusions. But Vlasov is not the only strong athlete in 74kg category. Bets athletes will taka e part in World championship. Russia, Turkey, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, South Korea and many other countries have strong wrestlers who want to be the winner as we.

- Lately there was a strange situation around wrestling. It could be taken out from Olympic program.

- I never took those talks for serious. I think it was campaign against former President of Wrestling International Federation Rafael Martineti. I am glad that he is away from wrestling now. After his resignation FILA again returned to its classic rules. I think it is also good for us. There is only one subjective moment in wrestling nowadays when referee can give his preference to one of the athletes. On August 27 we will elave for Belarus again where we will have another training session and will leave for Hungary,

Interview by Zaven Vardanyan