Two-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, three-time world champion, six-time European champion Armen Nazaryan and 2001 World wrestling champion Vaghinak Galustyan were awarded the MoESCS gold medal for their substantial contributions and achievements to the world of sports.

The renowned athletes received the awards from Zhanna Andreasyan, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.

Welcoming the guests and congratulating them on their 50th anniversary, Zhanna Andreasyan expressed gratitude for the outstanding accomplishments and victories achieved in the field of sports: “Thanks to your victories, our society has experienced indescribable emotions and excitement. I am certain that your example has inspired many of our children to participate in sports. Along with your medals and athletic accomplishments, this will surely have a wider symbolic value, yet it remains a means to express appreciation and recognition for your contribution.”

ESCS Deputy Minister Karen Giloyan also highly appreciated the significant contribution and achievements of renowned athletes to the development of Armenian wrestling.

“Armen Nazaryan is one of the most title-winning and famous sportsmen of our times. While it is true that Arthur Aleksanyan has already surpassed Nazaryan in terms of titles won, the two-time Olympic championship remains an unmatched achievement. Armen Nazaryan's reverse lift was a widely recognized technique in the realm of wrestling, with all opponents attempting to counter it, albeit unsuccessfully. Vaghinak Galustyan secured convincing victories from start to finish at the World Championship in Patras, which were the most impressive: he was one head above everyone else,” said Karen Giloyan.

The first Olympic champion of independent Armenia Armen Nazaryan thanked everyone for the warm welcome and emphasized how proud he was to have raised the Armenian flag at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and to have upheld the wonderful reputation of the Armenian people.

“I haven't lived in Armenia for many years, and this appreciation is truly important to me. This medal will also take its place along with my other medals,” said Armen Nazaryan.

During the meeting with ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan the legendary athlete informed that he now organizes and coordinates the activities of three age groups in Bulgaria, but he maintains his ties to his homeland. He frequently visits Armenia and arranges joint training camps in our country, along with the Bulgarian wrestling teams. Armen Nazaryan also shared his memories of a rich sports career.

Vaghinak Galustyan, the 2001 World wrestling champion and Director of the Yerevan State Sports College of the Olympic Reserve, also expressed gratitude for recognizing the veteran athletes.

“It is pleasant and obliging when athletes with a past sporting background are also appreciated. Today's major sports achievements are not coincidental: they derive from the state's focused efforts. The best evidence of this is the number of medals we have won over the past three to four years. It is also encouraging to see the influx of children into sports schools, which is observed nowadays. Children's interest in sports has increased significantly as a result of major sporting events hosted in our country recently. Once it was our dream to enter the arena in our own country: unfortunately, we did not have such an opportunity at that time. Currently, hosting international competitions is developing into a beautiful tradition that brings joy and inspiration,” emphasized Vaghinak Galustyan.

During the meeting, the state's sports policy, new initiatives, as well as issues related to preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris were also touched upon.