"Flowers of Armenia:” Dialog through gymnastics

Poghosyan family has been passing on its knowledge and practice to young female gymnasts for many years now. The couple living and working in Moscow always cooperates with Armenia. They have been organizing a major international tournament in their homeland for already two years.

Gymnastics coaches Avetik and Liana Poghosyans have told Mediamax Sport about how they settled in Russia, started working there and decided to hold “Flowers of Armenia” Tournament in their homeland.

From gymnastics coach to physical education teacher

They arrived in Russia in 1990s when Armenia was going through hard times. Avetik Poghsoyan left for Yekaterinburg and started working there. His wife, who was in the Armenian Rhythmic Gymnastics team and then worked at the coaching staff, joined him later.
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It was not easy to persist with their favorite work in Yekaterinburg but a true specialist always manages to pave the way for himself. It’s what absolute and multiple champion of Armenia, Cup holder, Master of Sports Liana Poghosyan did. With the help of her husband who did not want her to merit of many years to be lost in vain she made a comeback in sport. The first serious exam was proved to be quite a piece of cake.

“Liana is very good at gymnastics techniques. It cannot go unnoticed. She was easily employed and got her own group. The girls took part in a number of Ural region tournaments under Liana,” recalled Avetik Poghosyan.

But the Poghosyans decided to move to Moscow because of Ural climate conditions. So they again had to look for a job. It’s when Liana started working as a physical education teacher at an Armenian school.

When the dream turns into a reality again

Avetik Poghosyan still had hopes for Rhythmic Gymnastics and this time an ad he accidently saw on TV helped. Gymnastics Grand Prix was being held in Moscow and he suggested his wife that he took part in it. It’s where they were recommended turning to head coach for Russia team Irina Viner-Usmanova.

The anticipated meeting took place and the honored and famous coach sent her to an Olympic training center and all issues settled at once.

“A year later the school had gymnasts who became famous in Russia for their acrobatic elements. We were being invited to camps,” said AvetikPoghosyan.

Great dedication and immense love to sport

Now that years have passed the couple has managed to find its own place in gymnastics and recalls the difficulties they had to overcome with a smile. However, Liana admitted she had to commit superhuman efforts to master everything and get a qualification. She spent sleepless nights and worked assiduously to enrich the stock of her knowledge to become an international arbiter.

“I was the first international arbiter from Armenia and was the only for four years. I never cease to learn. I believe every trifle matters in sport,” said Liana.
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But she also loves coaching and said she feels very happy when working with children. The victories of the young gymnasts also make feel proud.

Annual camps completing with a tournament

After standing firmly on the ground, the Poghosyans decided to strengthen their ties with Armenia. They started holding regular summer camps in Tsakhkadzor. Gradually, the desire to expand the scope of their work sprang up and the idea to hold an international tournament occurred.

They have taken care of all organizational issues and although everything was very difficult they did not step back as they were highly eager to establish bilateral relations with Armenia and develop Rhythmic Gymnastics in Armenia.

“As last year, the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs attended the tournament this year as well. But in practice, Armenia does not support us in anything. It’s all on us,” said Liana.

“Flowers of Armenia” as an impetus to develop gymnastics

The international arbiter who has practice in working at World Championships, European Championships and other major tournaments believes that holding such competitions is highly important for Armenia. The Armenian Federation, which has limited finances, cannot always send Armenian female gymnasts to tournaments, while this way they do their best to help them.

The choice of the tournament’s name was not accidental. It reflects the beauty of Armenian nature and the mood of Tsakhkadzor.

“The muse knocked ta my door at 3 am and I decided the name of the tournament. Flowers are sold on the entire road to Tsakhkadzor. We bought them all this year and gave to the 76 participants of our tournament. Those perennial flowers will always remind them of the tournament and of Tsakhkadzor,” stressed Avetik.

Kindergartens and schools as alternative places for training

Rhythmic Gymnastics stands out with its beauty, however, it is not considered to be basic in Armenia. Armenian gymnasts are yet not able to win medals in the world.

The Poghosyans offer a few options to develop gymnastics in Armenia. They believe this sport bears strategic importance for our nation and thus should be in the focus of interest.
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“We have various schools in Yerevan. If at least 30% of them get involved in the sports program, it will be simply wonderful. It will create new jobs. The Ministry of Education and Science should create conditions for trainings adjunct to schools and kindergartens,” noted Avetik Poghosyan.

According to Liana Poghosyan, they work adjunct to the Olympic shift – they start training once the trainings at the school are over. According to her, there is no need to build new sports halls or make huge investments.

Hasmik Babayan