Hripsime Khurshudyan still believes in Santa

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. 2012 became a year of Olympic achievements and success. The Armenian delegation earned two bronze medals and one silver in London 2012. Weightlifter Hripsime Khurshudyan from Aparan earned her bronze medal in a tough competition. "Armenpress" had a conversation with the Olympic bronze medalist and tried to sum up the current year and find out her future expectations.

- Hripsime, 2012 comes to its end. What are your most characteristic memories?

- 2012 was a year of triumphs both in sport and personal life. I am happy that the current year turned out to be very successful for me. The most expected and desired was the Olympic medal. Notwithstanding each year I used to earn new medals before, but all the 15 years of trainings were aimed to the Olympic medal, which I managed to achieve. The color of medal is not of a certain importance for me, to me the most significant and greatest achievement of the year was the Olympic bronze.

- Was it easy for a conservative girl from Aparan to take up this "men's" sport?

- Frankly speaking it is rather difficult for a girl to go in for weightlifting. The mere fact that I am from Aparan supported me immensely. And being a true representative of my region I did not pay much attention to the circulating rumors. Now I even cannot recall why I have chosen this sport, although I was fond of the sport and opinions of the other people was of no importance for me. Also I would like to emphasize that I was not the first girl to make career in weightlifting.

- What are your expectations from the 2013?

- I will do nothing in 2013. After my marriage I decided to have a little rest. I shall take up weightlifting again in 2014. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

The interview by Varvara Hayrapetyan