The 60th European Karate Senior Championships officially kicked off today with a solemn opening ceremony at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.
The Championship is held with the support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports in cooperation with the Karate Federation of Armenia and international partners.
Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister Hasmik Avagyan, President of the World and European Karate Federation Antonio Espinos, President of the Armenian Karate Federation Vazgen Harutyunyan, statesmen, sector representatives, international guests, and sports fans attended the opening ceremony.
In her remarks, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan congratulated everyone in attendance on the launch of the European Karate Senior Championships, emphasizing that holding these Championships is a historic event in the history of Armenian karate. “Karate is widespread both in Armenia and around the world, and it is a great honour to have the opportunity to hold it in Armenia, thus also showcasing our country to the international community. We can confidently state that the 60th European Karate Senior Championships to be held in Yerevan will be one of the largest and most significant events held in Armenia this year.
I would particularly like to emphasize that hosting international tournaments is one of the priorities of the RA Government's policy and one of the most important targets of the sports development strategy, aimed at making Armenia one of the important centres on the international sports platform. Next year, we will host the European Shooting Championships, and in 2027, three significant events are scheduled: the World Weightlifting Championships, the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and the Francophonie International Sports and Cultural Games. So, we will have numerous opportunities in our country to host sports delegations from various countries of the world and thereby enhance Armenia's position on the sports map,” stated the Minister.
Zhanna Andreasyan considered it noteworthy that karate is one of the most beloved and popular sports in Armenia, particularly among schoolchildren. Therefore, the Championships will provide an opportunity to further inspire children to pursue that path, accomplishing new achievements.
“Sport is more than a mere collection of various sports. Nowadays, in particular, sport is becoming an important public platform for highlighting our shared features and bringing us together,” the ESCS Minister noted, wishing all athletes participating in the Championships successful performances and victories, and the sports fans - enjoyable days at the Championships.
President of the World and European Karate Federation Antonio Espinos, thanked his Armenian colleagues for their efforts, work, and successful cooperation, particularly emphasizing the support provided to the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. He wished the participants productive performances and victorious fights.
President of the Armenian Karate Federation Vazgen Harutyunyan also delivered a welcoming speech, noting that it is a great honour and responsibility to hold such a sporting event in Armenia, which is also a symbol of recognition, unity, and mutual trust within the European karate family.
Note that about 1,000 athletes from 54 countries are participating in the 60th European Karate Senior Championships. It will run until May 11. The Armenian national team's lineup is:
Men
60 kg – Yura Zalyan
67 kg – Suren Harutyunyan
75 kg – Robert Hovhannisyan
84 kg – Gor Nersisyan
+84 kg – Davit Makyan
Kata –Mikhayil Mkhitaryan
Women
50 kg – Yelena Gasparyan
55 կգ –Alisa Khojayan
68 կգ –Lena Gyulumyan
+68 kg –Anita Makyan
