The official website of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia (armnoc.am) continues the range of interviews with Armenian famous and promising athletes. Our next guest is Armenia’s Greco-Roman wrestling team member, World and Europe former champion, Olympic Games' silver medalist, Arsen Julfalakyan.

-Arsen, ups and downs are inevitable, especially in sport. This year's championship was a failure for you. What conclusions have you drawn from it?

-The 2015 and especially the World Championship turned out abnormal for me but I triumphed at the other tournaments of the year. I didn’t understand what happened. Even now I can't explain what the reason was. I can mention one reason: fights were following each other very fast after defeats. I had 3 fights in 45 minutes and one of them I spent with a World Champion in 80kg weight class who is a very tough opponent for everyone.  I was losing 4-0 but at least I managed to beat him 4-7. I did my best in that bout having only 15 minutes for reinstatement but it wasn't enough. Those 15 minutes were enough only for 3 minutes of fighting. I wasn’t in a state of full consciousness, I realized what was happening but I couldn’t do anything. One should be a professional athlete and stand in a ring for having an idea how complicated it is. Sometimes they wonder how such an athlete can miss a trick. It’s incredible. The problem is that your body doesn’t obey you. About a month I had no desire of doing anything but then I realized that nothing was lost yet. Our goal is the Olympics. No residue is left after the World Championship, everything has been overcome.

-You still have 3 qualifiers, what do you think, you will be able to obtain an Olympic qualification from the very first attempt?

-Of course, I'll try to obtain a qualification from the very first attempt. It is very important as I will have more time to prepare for the Olympics and restore the lost self-confidence. Both my coaches and I should chose properly which tournament we are going to.

-Arsen, is it possible that after the Olympics you will leave the sport?

-Really, I can't say anything. My age allows me to continue, but don't want to say anything about it. It is wrong to give an assessment before reaching the goal. It's better to reach the final result and only then to decide whether to put a big full stop or not.

-You have repeatedly said that after leaving the professional career you would like to engage in politics or diplomacy. Haven’t the plans changed?

-For starting such career one should have an experience. Starting from a West European country without experience will cause dire consequences. First, one should become an experienced diplomat and only then have such desires. But here again we come to the Rio 2016 Olympics. The more I think the more I understand that everything will become clear after the Olympics.

-This year you celebrated one of the most important victories of your life, you have become a father. What has changed after your daughter's birth?

-Indeed, much has changed. Before, when I had health problems I thought only about sport. But now when I have my daughter, I've become more serious, more balanced. She is at the center of our attention all the time, everything should be done perfect for her. She never disturbs us, seeing her smile in the morning, makes me happy. She is a sun that shines at home. I wish everyone to have this feeling.

-Arsen, leaving aside sports and personal issues, what is happiness for you?

-I wouldn’t say that I perceive happiness differently, I don't. When people talk about absolute happiness they describe it partially. Unfortunately, nowadays, we have many problems, undoubtedly I'll lie saying that I'm not happy. Yes, I consider myself a lucky man, but this happiness consists of moments. Thanks God, I often have such moments. I wish to feel them in the same quality and number.

 -And what is success for you?

-I also have a special approach to success. The success is a result of a serious, professional and devoted work. You can't reach great heights without success. It must accompany you everywhere. But one shouldn't rely solely on success.

- Which are your strong sides?

- I think diligence, purposefulness and nature of not to leave the job half done.

-And the weak ones?

-Recently, I came to the conclusion that when you begin to trust people, you are often punished for it. I don't know if it is a weakness or not, but when you trust people you can unexpectedly get hit. One must be very careful in choice of friends. Now I should be moderate.

-Arsen, all people have fears, which is your fear?

-My fears are about my family, I pray for its wellbeing and what happens, let it be in time.

-What feature do you appreciate in people?

-Naturally, if you are honest you demand the same from others. Honesty and Professionalism are on another platform. I think patriotism, devotion to family, respect for elders and merited people are also very important. I do not like ungrateful people. A man should never be ungrateful.

-Whom do you trust the most?

-To my family, the whole family without exceptions.

-Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

-It’s difficult to say but no matter where I am, I’ll be surrounded with my family.

-Where would you like to pass your old age?

-I’ve thought of it. Maybe, on some tropical island. I like sea, though I was born and grew up in mountains. Cuba tempts me much.

-How would you like to be remembered?

-I would like to be remembered as I am known now. I don’t want people to change their opinion on me with the years.  I’ll do everything to stay the same for them.

- What question would you like to be given?

-The questions I am given now, they are very interesting and have something to think about. They aren't simple and in some sense they are philosophical. I like such questions and avoid banal ones.

-If you ask yourself a journalistic question, what question it would be?

-Surely, not a sports related one.  

-What would you say seeing God?

-It's not the first time I am asked about it but every time it seems unexpected. There is something that will never change, when that time comes, you won't have much to say, only to ask to forgive the sins you have committed.

-And let's pass to quick questions. What's your favorite sport?

-Wrestling

-The favorite athlete?

-Roy Jones, Buvaysar Satin

-The favorite movie?

-''The artist''

-The favorite actor?

- Leonardo DiCaprio

-Singer?

- Frank Sinatra

-The favorite song?

-Charles Aznavour 's ''Yesterday''

-The musical instrument?

-Guitar

-Which song is your life slogan?

-John Lenon ''Imagine''

-The favorite book?

-''The Bible''

-The favorite historical figure?

-Leonardo da Vinci

-The favorite country?

-Australia

-The city?

-Paris, Havana

-The favorite meal?

-I like sweets very much

-The favorite slogan?

-In any case, always remain a man

-The favorite slogan?

-Cross

-The last photo you've taken by phone?  

 

Photos - here

ANOC press office