Armenian SAMBO star Arman Avanesyan has been named The World Games Athlete of the Month for April 2025, following his dominant performance at the European SAMBO Championships and his qualification for The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.
Avanesyan captured his second European Championship title with an emphatic 9-1 victory in the final match. Reflecting on his journey, he credited improved training conditions and a focused preparation period for this year's success.
“Compared to last year, I had much better conditions to prepare,” he shared. “During the previous preparation period, we were having more challenging times with limited training opportunities. This year, we had an excellent training camp and reached a high level of fitness.”
The path to gold wasn’t without challenges. Avanesyan had to overcome tough competitors from for example Ukraine before the final. “I managed to finish both matches ahead of time, which gave me confidence going into the final. Fortunately, everything went according to plan,” he said.
With this victory, Avanesyan secured his spot at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, a milestone he views as a significant career highlight.
“This is a great opportunity for me to showcase myself at such a major event, especially since I haven’t had the chance to participate in the Olympics before,” he noted. “I’m fully committed to preparing for the championship and doing my best to be ready in the right way.”
Known for his discipline and mental resilience, Avanesyan believes that consistency outweighs brief motivation in high-performance sport.
“Motivation can be strong one day and weak the next — that’s why resilience and strong willpower are essential,” he explained. “In my opinion, discipline is the key factor behind true success.”
Hailing from a nation renowned for its combat sports heritage, Avanesyan also offered words of encouragement to aspiring athletes in Armenia and beyond. “I advise young athletes to never give up and to keep chasing their dreams. Nothing is impossible. With proper training, hard work, and belief in their own strength, they can achieve success.”
With Chengdu 2025 on the horizon, the world will be watching as Arman Avanesyan takes his next step on the global stage.