BUDAPEST, Hungary (A.W.)—David Safaryan, 24, represented Armenia in the World Freestyle Wrestling Championship that began in Budapest on Sept. 16. He won the final match by defeating Livan Lopez of Cuba, the bronze medalist of the London Olympics.
David Safaryan (Photolure)
“Before leaving for the World Cup, I did not believe I could win,” Safaryan (66 kg.) told News.am in an interview.
He had already played and defeated the Romanian, Polish, Russian, and Georgian wrestlers before facing Lopez in the final match. “Although the Cuban had strong muscles, and played well, I believed that I could win that final round.”
Armenia last had a world champion in freestyle wrestling in 2002. Safaryan was named the European Champion in competitions held in March 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
“I thought winning the Championship would be wonderful, and that is how it ended,” said Safaryan.