Para-armwrestling: Sarkis Stepanyan, a former officer badly wounded in 2014, becomes world champion for the fifth time
- Published
- Place
- New Delhi, India
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
Armenia’s Sarkis Stepanyan won his fifth world para-armwrestling title in New Delhi, India, on 1 November, at the sport’s 28th world championship. He competed in the category for athletes who wrestle seated. He announced the win on Facebook and dedicated it to his father, whose birthday it was. A former Armenian army officer, Stepanyan was badly wounded by a mine explosion on 29 June 2014 while, according to published accounts, trying to rescue a wounded comrade. He lost both legs and an arm and survived cardiac arrest. He is also a multiple European champion.
Analysis
Sarkis Stepanyan has become one of Armenia’s best-known examples of wounded servicemen rebuilding their lives through sport. He turned an injury that could have killed him into the start of an international career. His wins, celebrated far beyond sports fans, also bring visibility to disability sport, which still gets little media coverage in the country.
Possible consequences
This title brings his tally to five world crowns. His next competition has not been announced.
